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Provide a full summary of the comic book.

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Hearts Bled Crimson
Nightcrawler, Shadowcat, Meggan, Colossus, Pete Wisdom and Wolfsbane, they are the mutant members of England’s premiere super hero team, Excalibur. Teleported to Hong Kong by the Time-Witch Spiral, they are on a life-and-death mission to rescue their iconic member, Brian Braddock - also known as Captain Britain - now they pray that they are not too late.
Making their way across the gentle landscape, the team leader, Kurt “Nightcrawler” Wagner tells his teammates to be on their guard, for if the “Dragons of the Crimson Dawn” are as formidable as their erstwhile ally spiral claims, then they must make a swift assault. Kurt asks young Rahne “Wolfsbane” Sinclair to take the point as they rush through the dark night.
Wolfsbane rushes forward, and focusing her enhanced lupine senses towards the fortress in the distance, the young Scots lycanthrope discovers that the path is clear across the countryside, before quickly alerting her teammates that there are no signs of the Dragons, and adding that there is something strange about the fortress, and she spies that it is guarded by something, a laser grid which surrounds the perimeter.
Meggan takes to the air, and asks her friends what they are waiting for, it is time to break through it, adding that if Brian is inside, then that is where she is going. Piotr “Colossus” Rasputin puts a hand on Meggan’s shoulder, halting her flight, despite her protest. Colossus replies that he will not let go of her if she is going to fly off half-cocked, and Meggan lowers herself back to the ground, where Colossus embraces her, Meggan exclaiming that they must save her beloved and reminding everyone that she and Brian were going to get married. Colossus calms Meggan, and promises her that they will rescue Brian.
The six-armed Spiral watches Excalibur and thinks to herself that they are sentimental fools, believing love can conquer all, while boasting that if she didn’t teleport them from their home on Muir Island they would not have had a chance of saving Brian Braddock in time. Spiral knows that she could have prevented this, but wonders why she didn’t.
Suddenly, Pete Wisdom creeps up behind Spiral, and with one of his hot knives ready, he startles her, suggesting that she teleports them inside the base, safely past the laser grid, or something other than his roguish charms are going to make her sweat. Spiral tells Wisdom that he flatters himself, and flips him onto the ground with a loud thump, declaring that to the passion which once burned within her, his hot knives are like candles unto a raging holocaust.
Spiral exclaims that one twist of her blade will easily douse Wisdom’s hot knives, when Nightcrawler intervenes, holding his sword up to Spiral’s throat, he orders her to get them inside - now! Backed up against a tree, Spiral replies that she would if she could, before explaining that to do so would alert the Dragon’s not only to Excalibur’s presence, but her presence as well.
As everyone gathers around Spiral, the strange being that has been following Meggan around approaches her and declares that the time-dancer is a fool to assume that the Dragons are not already aware. Meggan turns upon hearing the familiar voice, and calls to him, asking what it is he wants. Meggan walks over to the strange man as he informs her that her betrothed lives, before revealing that she has little time before his own brethren break Captain Britain’s nigh-indomitable will.
Everyone looks at Meggan, and Wisdom announces that Meggan is talking to herself again, offering his opinion that Meggan has gone all “Tweety” in the head. Kitty “Shadowcat” Pryde folds her arms and tells her boyfriend that she loves him to pieces, before suggesting that he does them a favor by trying not to be so obtuse for at least one second. Kitty reminds Wisdom that Meggan is an elemental, which means her heightened perception of reality lets her see things that are invisible to the naked eye. Cigarette hanging out of his mouth, Wisdom mocks the “heightened perception of reality” and tells Kitty that she must watch too much X-Files.
Meggan’s visitor informs Meggan that her surly companion does not realize that she alone can see him, which is for the best, as the tale he, Xiandu, must tell is solely for her ears. With that statement, Xiandu begins his tale.
(Flashback)
Long ago, in a time of turmoil for the people of Hong Kong, the Ming Dynasty had died a brutal, bloody death at the hands of the barbarian, Li-Tzu Ch’eng. Despite the carnage, Xiandu and his fellow monks held piously to the belief that that their prayers would bring an end to the bloodshed drenching their kingdom, and somehow, sustain the Dynasty of their patriarchs to come.
But their prayers fell on deaf ears, almost as swiftly as the house of Ming fell to Li-Tzu’s savage armies. With his faith shattered, Xiandu consciously led his three friends - A’yin, Ra’al and Barak - down the darkest road they would ever travel. In the pitch of night, beneath the light of the moon, the four of them were initiated into a covenant that promised to repel their oppressors, and restore the rightful dominion to the throne of China.
With that initiation, an ancient mystical discipline became the willing servants of the ancient Crimson Dawn! Little did Xiandu realize the price such servitude would exact on their souls - and tempted by the power of the Crimson Dawn, his friends turned on him. Corrupt within, the Crimson Dawn began to corrupt A’yin, Ra’al and Barak, and in the instant the first dagger was plunged into Xiandu’s unsuspecting heart, his friends ceased to exist - and the Dragons of the Crimson Dawn were born. With those actions, Xiandu’s spirit was sentenced to wander the Earth awaiting his former friends inevitable escape from the Crimson realm.
(Present)
Xiandu exclaims that centuries later, the Dragons herald the blood-dimmed tide soon to come. He explains to Meggan that since her beloved Brian is a vessel of great power, he is as instrumental in the loosing of that mystical deluge, as is this land - for this is the very nexus of power where he and his former friends once sought to bend reality to their petty, mortal whims. Xiandu reveals that it is here that the Dragons will attempt to do so again, ‘Unless you, Faerie child, can stop them!’ Xiandu declares.
‘Me? But how?’ asks the perplexed Meggan. Kurt taps Meggan on the shoulder and tells her that whatever she is experiencing must be quite difficult for her to handle, before pointing out that nevertheless they must hurry if they are going to save Brian. Megan’s half turns to Kurt and explains that her newfound friend is just telling her about what they have to do. Meggan introduces Kurt to Xiandu, and informs Xiandu that he is Excalibur’s team leader.
Nightcrawler thinks to himself “Xiandu”? and decides that Wisdom is right on this one, Meggan has gone “Tweety”. But a eager Meggan pleads with Xiandu to help she and her teammates. ‘Please?’ Xiandu does not reply, instead he simply looks away.
Meanwhile, as Excalibur readies their assault outside, within the compound proper, the battle has already begun. Captain Britain - a.k.a. Brian Braddock - screams as he is dowsed in painful magicks, he knows he cannot take much more as the pain is so severe. Since he long ago assumed his predestined mantle as “Captain Britain: Protector of the Realm”, he has survived a great many trials, surpassed by a great many tribulations. But of all the hardships endured during his often undesired career as a hero, none can compare to the excruciating agony inflicted upon him by his otherworldly captors.
As Brian’s body screams at him to surrender, his heart demands that he must fight on. ‘I can…I must…I WILL resist!’ he shouts, as the Dragons of the Crimson Dawn come up behind him. The Dragons leader, the Albino Ra’al tells Brian that he better conserve his prodigious strength, before remarking to her comrades that by resisting he not only hastens his own demise - ‘But it ensures the destruction of the “modern world”!’ adds the brutish Barak.
The green-skinned A’yin agrees that Captain Britain is truly incredible, to which Brian informs the Dragons that it will take a lot more than what they have got to keep him down. Ra’al takes Brian’s weary face in her hands, ‘Ever the warrior prepared to take a stand for “King and Country”, eh?’ she remarks, telling him that it is admirable, but futile at best, and suddenly she lets some energy quills upon Brian, piercing his very soul, and leaving Brian Braddock’s shrill wail pierce the night.
A’yin sits at a large computer console, ready to make use of the “magic” of technology to his teams’ advantage. He remarks that the six-armed time-witch, Spiral did not lie about these devices, and reveals that they are indeed siphoning off Braddock’s energy by the second! He boasts that they shall soon have all the power they need to shatter the barrier between this mortal coil and their own mystical realm.
Barak unsheathes his weapons, claiming that for too many centuries have they suffered to achieve this moment. He declares that he grows impatient that he must wait any longer. A’yin tells his comrade to reign his destructive appetite, pointing out that their servitude to the Crimson Dawn is about to repaid a thousandfold within the hour. Suddenly, a worried A’yin reveals that he senses someone has entered the compound, and in disbelief he exclaims that it is Xiandu!
Ra’al doesn’t believe A’yin and tells him that he must simply be so giddy that he imagines this to be the day of Karmic Retribution, reminding A’yin that the left the superstitious fool for dead ages ago. Hoping to make A’yin feel better, she motions for Barak to go and investigate.
Some levels below, Barak emerges from the shadows to find nothing, to which he supposes that time is taking its toll on senile old A’yin. He wonders if they should add A’yin’s elderly soul to the pyre, when suddenly, ‘Need a light, bit guy?’ asks someone standing in the shadows. Barak is confused for a moment, until Wisdom reveals himself, hurling his powerful “hot knives” at Barak,  who yelps in pain, before furiously asking Wisdom ‘You dare assault the mighty Barak?’, as he foams at the mouth.
‘Yup’ Wisdom replies confidently, which causes Barak to leap at Wisdom with his weapons outstretched, ‘Insolent mortal, I will kill you!’ he cries, while Wisdom casually lights a cigarette. Suddenly, Nightcrawler teleports in, and Barak’s weapons clang against Kurt’s swords. Kurt declares that Wisdom may be rude, crude and utterly uncouth, but he is still one of Excalibur - and Excalibur look after their own.
Noticing Nightcrawler’s appearance, Barak asks him what kind of freakish creature he is, to which Kurt explains that he is a “mutant”, born with a variant chromosome that not only gives him amazing powers, but makes him a dashingly handsome fellow also. Weapons continue to clang, and Barak declares that looks alone cannot help sustain so fleet an attack for long. Kurt grins and replies that he doesn’t expect them to, before reminding Barak that Excalibur look after their own. ‘Right. Colossus?’
Nightcrawler suddenly teleports out, and Colossus rushes Barak, striking him hard, while Wolfsbane drops onto the behemoth from above, growling at him, while Colossus suggests to his teammates that they continue on with the mission, while he and Rahne keep the brute at bay. Barak informs Excalibur that they are too late, for thanks to the time-witch’s technology, Brian Braddock’s power, his very life essence, is forfeit. He adds that once they have finished with Braddock’s, the Crimson Dawn shall take the power of everyone else.
Colossus tells Meggan not to listen to the monster, but a frightened Meggan realizes that her friends were right, Spiral did lie to her, to everyone. Meggan calls to Brian, before beginning to wail. But suddenly, Spiral appears overhead, and claims that the only lie she has told, was to deceive the foolish “dragons”. Spiral explains that the technology she gave the Dragons is useless without the proper magicks to temper its influence. She reveals that the only being capable of manipulating those magicks, is herself.
Spiral begins casting some spell, causing a startled Barak to yell ‘Treacherous witch! What are you doing to meeeee?’ Spiral points out that the Dragons claim their bond to the Crimson Dawn to be eternal, before claiming that it is little more than a hollow threat, ‘For I have walked the Wildways - and I know that nothing last forever!’ Spiral suggests to Excalibur that if they are going to rescue Braddock, they do it now, before she regrets her decision.
Nightcrawler teleports everyone away, while thinking that there may be more to Spiral than they suspected. Safe in another part of the complex, Kitty tries to comfort Meggan, telling her that everything will be okay, that Brian is a trooper and will pull through just fine. Flying off ahead of her teammates, Meggan calls back ‘For those evil Dragons’ sake, Kitty, he’d better!’
Flying through the complex, it has only been a matter of hours since Meggan was separated from the man she loves. But for Meggan, it feels like an eternity. She wants, more than anything, for this eternity to end - so that her new life with Brian Braddock may begin. Determination on her face, Meggan recalls that she and Brian have waited so long to consecrate their relationship, so she refuses to let these people stand in the way of their happiness! Entering a new room, Meggan realizes there is something not quite right about it, and wonders what is going on.
Xiandu stands before Meggan and explains to her that Captain Britain’s power is being used to erode the barriers between this reality and the Crimson Shadow Realm to which the Dragons were once banished, and already, that world is superimposing itself upon this one. Xiandu claims that he did all he could to stop it, but he fears it is too late.
Meggan declares that she is not giving up just like that, before telling Xiandu that like his own faith once meant the world to him, so does Brian mean that Earth, the moon, the stars - the whole Universe to her. Never showing any emotion, Xiandu reveals to Meggan her love is why he has spoken to her and none of her teammates, for as much as the magicks within Meggan are necessary to save Captain Britain - so much more is required of their love for one another - to save their world. Power emanating from him, Xiandu touches Meggan on the forehead.
Elsewhere in the complex, the battle rages on, a brilliant array of colors fills every space it can, and Ra’al boasts that this world’s day is done, and asks A’yin if he cannot feel the renaissance. A’yin replies that he cannot, before revealing that something is wrong, the energy isn’t being drawn out of Braddock to the rift - Brian is drawing the energy from the rift to himself!
‘That’s right, demon! You said it yourselves - my very body is an object of power, power that is mine alone to control! Mine alone!’ exclaims Brian, unleashing masses of power after enduring the ceaseless torture of Ra’al’s “psychic surgery”, the agonizing sting of Barak’s incessant beatings, and the tedium of A’yin’s mystical poking and prodding for hours on end. However, despite being so far from his native land for so long, so far from the source of his miraculous might - Captain Britain is far from being defeated.
No matter how reluctant a hero Brian Braddock may be, a hero he is - and a hero never says “Die”! Getting to his feet, Brian turns to A’yin and Ra’al and asks which one of them would like to go another round. A bamf signals the arrival of Nightcrawler, Kitty, Colossus, Wolfsbane and Wisdom - the cavalry. Kurt tells Brian to take it easy, as they can give the hell-spawn a go now.
Brian is surprised to see his friends, but Ra’al gets straight back into it, declaring that Braddock belongs to the Crimson Dawn, she spit’s a stream of bile at Kurt, who steps aside as Brian warns him that it is corrosive and can fry your flesh right off the bone. Nightcrawler asks Brian what they should do now, to which Brian replies ‘Now…we give them what they want’.
Kurt is surprised by Brian’s remark, and asks him if he is insane. Ra’al exclaims that Braddock is not insane, merely ready to accept his destiny as the usher of a bold new era. Ra’al tells A’yin to dispose of the others, so A’yin unleashes some green gas, causing Piotr, Rahne and Wisdom to fall to the ground, while Kitty becomes intangible and tries to remember everything Wolverine taught her about fighting to take the Dragons down hard and fast. Solidifying herself, Kitty kicks both Dragons square in the jaw, knocking them both down.
Brian thanks Kitty, before suggesting she phases under some kind of cover if she can, because things are about to really heat up! However, as Captain Britain reaches out to draw the wild coruscating energy back into himself, there is a backlash as the energy begins to feed back on him. He cries out, knowing that he cannot reabsorb it fast enough, he needs help. ‘BRIAN!’ exclaims Meggan as she flies towards him. The weary Captain Britain asks Meggan if it is really her, ‘Of course it is, you big silly!’ Meggan replies, grabbing Brian in her arms.
Exhausted, Brian wearily tells Meggan that she needs to drain the energy from the portal and redirect it into him, to seal the rift, then he can safely release the energy. Meggan points out that it might kill him, to which Brian doesn’t say anything, he just looks into his beloved’s eyes. Meggan understands now, and protests, but Brian tells her to shush, and kisses her, ‘I love you, too…’ he whispers.
Brian stands tall, with Meggan hovering above him. When they first met, Meggan was a frightened waif living on the streets of London, and Brian Braddock was fast becoming the symbol of a nation’s hope - an equally frightening prospect. Meggan announces that she has recycled as much of the energy as she can, and under strain, points out that neither of them can survive much more. She asks him if he is ready, Brian replies that this is it, and placing her hands on Brian’s muscular shoulders, Brian declares ‘Let it go!’
Taking solace in each other’s company, Brian and Meggan’s relationship soon grew from tried and true friendship, to deep, impassioned love. Each becoming a rock upon which the other could defend. Till death do they part. Color starts to fade, until Brian and Meggan are left floating in a blinding whiteness. Kitty, Kurt, Piotr, Rahne and Wisdom watch in awe, until Kitty breaks the silence, asking if it is over, just like that.
Nearby, Ra’al calls Excalibur ‘foolish mortals’ and warns them that this is far from over, boasting that the Crimson Dawn shall soon rise and bathe this world in its sanguine fury! She claims that whether it be at the turn of this millennium, or the turn of the next, Excalibur will not avert its doom. Sinking into the shadows, she tells them that as certain as they can be of that inescapable truth, they can be certain of this - ‘We Dragons shall return!’ Kitty watches A’yin rush away also, and thinks to herself that it is a good thing they are leaving, as she doubts Excalibur could have lasted much longer.
Holding onto Brian as the dust settles around them, Meggan asks him to say something, ‘Oh, darling…it’s not supposed to happen like this…we were supposed to be married!’ sobs Meggan. Opening his fist, ‘Who said we won’t?’ the weary Brian asks, revealing the ring. Xiandu watches Meggan and Brian, safe in the knowledge that they have been reunited at last, the journey of his restless soul has now come to a close, and he fades.
Dawn, the next morning, and several reconnaissance missions later. Nightcrawler, Colossus, Wolfsbane, Kitty and Wisdom gather and sit on the steps of the temple. Kurt announces that there is nothing, no sign of either Spiral or any of the Dragons, so one can only hope that they all returned to their respective dimensions. Wisdom declares that he just ratted this place out by bouncing a signal to an orbiting Chinese satellite, and the last thing they need is a run in with that. ‘What do you mean “you” bounced the signal?’ Kitty asks Pete, massaging his shoulders. ‘Oh, bloody heck’ Wisdom mutters.
Colossus asks his teammates if any of them have seen Meggan and Brian, to which Rahne points out that they have been gone for some time now. Kurt replies that he isn’t sure about Meggan, but that he saw Brian sitting on the hill overlooking the valley, adding that he looked like he didn’t want to be disturbed, to which Kurt points out that after having been tortured almost to death, he imagines Captain Britain has a lot on his mind.
Brian sits on the hill as the sun rises, and Meggan approaches him, asking him if there is enough room for two up here. Brian sees Meggan and tells her to sit, taking her hand, he informs her that he is glad she is here, as they need to talk. Meggan’s face drops, already knowing that it is about them getting married. Brian replies that it is that and a great many other things that are going through his head right now. He remarks that it is so strange, for he thought he could handle anything, but the Crimson Dawn was too powerful for him, now his powers are gone - and Captain Britain is no more.
However, Brian reveals that it feels like an incredible weight has been lifted from his shoulders, a burden too heavy for one man to carry. He explains that he can finally become the man he wants to be, he can move on to being “Brian Braddock, Scientist”, or “Brian Braddock, Husband”, or “Brian Braddock, Couch Potato” - whatever, and he can do it on his own terms.
As Brian takes Meggan in his arms and pulls her close to him, Meggan asks him if it means he is leaving the team, or her. Brian replies that he is going to leave the team for now. But leave Meggan? Never. He tells her that she is as dear to him as his own heart, but that he needs some time away from Excalibur to figure out what he is and who he wants to be. ‘I know you, of all people, can understand this, Meggan,’ Brian says.
Brushing his thumb across Meggan’s lips, Brian tells her that since he is asking a lot of her, he won’t blame her if she doesn’t wait for him. The rising sun sparkles across the water, and Brian and Meggan stand up, embracing, they kiss, and Meggan whispers ‘For you, Brian Braddock - I would wait forever…’.


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Provide a full summary of the comic book.

[Assistant]
A True and Terrible Sacrifice
Winzeldorf, Germany, where the circus is underway, the act, which is keeping the circus patrons in awe at the moment, is the death-defying without-a-net trapeze act, performed by the devilish looking Kurt Wagner and the angelic Jimaine Szardos. Jimaine leaps from the platform, high above the circus tent floor, and somersaults in the air. Kurt comes from the opposite direction, but as the foster siblings prepare to join hands in mid-air, Jimaine loses her grip. Kurt reaches out to her, but Jimaine just keeps falling to the net-less floor.The circus patrons call out from their seats, shocked that the „goblin" dropped her, that Jimaine will fall to her doom and someone notices that the „demon" just disappeared. Another bamf sees Kurt reach Jimaine, correcting the audience under his breath that he in fact teleported not disappeared. Jimaine yells at Kurt before he grabs her and teleports again, landing on the ground. As the crowd goes wild, clapping and shouting in applaud, at the „masked man" and his „disappearing" act, Kurt whispers to Jimaine that as if a „goblin" like he would ever pass up an opportunity to rescue a genuine damsel in distress. Jimaine plays along and puts her hand up to her forehead in „woe-is-me" style. Kurt thinks to himself that this was even better now that it makes himself look better in the eyes of the prejudiced audience.
Kurt teleports again, Jimaine in his arms still, and they arrive in one of the nearby tents, Kurt saying that he can only share his secret with those he loves, and he and Jimaine are about to kiss, when she asks Kurt if he teleported her away from the adulatory crowds who think he is a costumed performer, to backstage where he can woo her with his charms. Kurt asks her if it is working, and Jimaine replies ‘Perfectly.’ Kurt proclaims that he has something to tell her, and before Jimaine can say anything, he announces he is thinking about leaving the circus.
Jimaine wrenches herself from Kurts’ arms, tears forming in her eyes, she turns away from him. Kurt tells her that he knows it is very sudden, when suddenly, they are interrupted by the circus performers. Haus tells the others that Kurt and Jimaine are here, and Kurt is annoyed by their arrival. The circus performers talk amongst themselves as they enter the tent, before Haus tells Jimaine that she moves through the air like ‘a fuzzy bluebird’ before telling her that he does not mean she is blue, but ‘as bootiful as ever’ Jimaine outstretches her arms at Haus and proclaims that unlike some people around here, he is as sweet as ever, before placing a kiss on his chin.
The flexible woman sees Kurt’s upset reaction to Jimaine’s comment and places a comforting hand on his shoulder, telling him that his aerial skills improve each time, and that he is almost as flexible as she. She asks Kirkegaard, the two-headed man, to back her up, who says that „they" are doubly impressed, before announcing that Feuer has something to say, and he does, burping fire. Kurt thanks everyone and says that coming form the stars of their circus „freak show" there is no higher praise.
The ringmaster’s voice is heard from the big top tent and announces to the audience that they will now be gazing upon the Freak Show! The performers run from the backstage tent to the main one, saying that they will show the macabrely curiouscitizens of Winzeldorf who the freaks really are!
Jimaine watches the performers run towards the big top, and says that it is great how they are all so carefree, despite their „deformities" With her back still turned from Kurt, she tells him that she knows why he has felt so at ease at the circus since their mother found him as a baby. But she tells him she cannot understand why he would want to leave it – or her. Kurt wipes away Jimaine’s tears and tells her that it is here, where they must hide from others simply because they are different. He reveals to Jimaine that he believes with help, he can change that, and tells her that that is why he wants her to go with him. Jimaine hugs him and excitedly says that she cannot wait to tell Mama the news.
A trailer stands a distance away from the rest of the circus, it belongs to Margali Szardos, the circus’ „fortune teller", and Jimaine and Kurt’s mother. The mysterious woman sits levitated above a red pentagram on her trailer floor, and utters a mystical chant; ‘By the hoary hosts and the ragged rings, make plain to my sight a most sacred, mystical thing!’ Jimaine rushes into her mother’s caravan and proclaims that she has the most wonderful thing to tell her – Margali cuts her daughter off, by saying ‘You are not going, child’.
Jimaine protests, asking why, before telling her mother that she is old enough to make her own decisions now. Margali’s aged face turns to her daughter, the image of a skull can be made out in her eye, and she says that it is not a matter of age, but a matter of responsibility. Disheartened, Jimaine looks to the ground, as Margali reveals that for centuries, the women in their family have safeguarded a powerful mystical discipline known as the Winding Way. Margali tells her daughter that as her mother taught it to her, she will teach it to her, so that one day, she will pass the knowledge to her own daughter.
‘But what if I don’t want to?’ Jimaine says, before Margali casts a blinding white light, and tells her daughter that her own personal desires are insignificant in the course of history. Margali says to Jimaine ‘Behold! A portent of the future!’ And the blinding light turns golden, revealing the Soul Sword. Margali tells her daughter that the Soul Sword is not only a threat to her place along the Winding Way, but to the material world as well. Jimaine’s eyes go wide, and starring at the Soulsword, she reaches out for it. Margali says ‘This sword, daughter…is the evil emblem of your destiny’. Jimaine is a little confused and still in awe of the sword, she questions what her mother just told her about it being evil, when it is so beautiful.
Suddenly, a hand reaches through the pentagram, and tells Jimaine that she has no claim to what will someday belong to the dread lord of Limbo – the figure is now whole – Belasco! The demon lord grabs the Soulsword and tells Jimaine that another will stake her right to the blade in the coming days, but Belasco says that for now, he alone holds the blade, telling Jimaine that he holds it against the schemes of her treacherous mother.
Jimaine starts to ask her mother if this beast knows her, but Belasco strikes Jimaine on her forehead with the Soulsword. Margali tells her daughter to fear not, as he is only a lesser demon amongst the ancient adversaries, ‘and by my power- he shall be gone!’ Margali sweeps her hands across Belasco and he vanishes. As Jimaine clutches her head, mystical power emitting from it, Margali says that like all dark imps, Belasco is a prince of lies, with delusions of grandeur. However, Margali adds, Belasco has unlike his brethren successfully sown seeds of destruction on this world’s soil.
Margali proclaims that Belasco’s evil harvest draws near – and Jimaine runs from her mother’s trailer, still clutching her head. Margali continues her speech, adding that when Belasco’s harvest does come, that only a true and terrible sacrifice will halt his rise to power. Margali tells Jimaine that it is a sacrifice she has to make, which is why she forbids her to leave. Jimaine shouts back that she won’t, and tells her mother that she cannot keep her here with her ridiculous sorcery. She says that Kurt is going to see the world, and she is going with him. Margali’s eyes narrow and to herself she says ‘I’m truly sorry you feel that way daughter, truly sorry indeed…’
Night has enveloped the circus, and Jimaine sits alone in the darkened woods. Still she holds her head, and thinking to herself, she asks why she had to be born the daughter of a sorceress. She thinks that her mother didn’t hassle her brother, Stefan, as much when he tried to leave home. Jimaine thinks how she doesn’t even care about the Winding Way, so why should she have to protect it someday? Jimaine sees a firefly hover by her side and reaches a finger out to it. She decides she knows what the toll for being a witch is, as she has seen it on her mother, and besides Kurt and herself, Margali no longer has anyone to call her own, or love. Jimaine decides that a person’s time on earth is fleeting enough as it is, and that she wants to spend it with someone she loves and who loves her. Still watching the hovering firefly, she proclaims to herself that no matter what her mother says or does, after tomorrow night’s performance, she is leaving!
The following morning, Kurt approaches the backstage tent, worried about Jimaine, he thinks that maybe he shouldn’t have told her about his leaving last night. He proclaims to himself that Jimaine and Margali already have many unresolved issues between them, and that the last thing they need it another bone of contention. Kurt says good morning to the performers in the tent, who are all preparing for the show later, and asks them if any of them have seen Jimaine today, but none of them have. Kurt leaves, worried, praying that all is well between his sister and mother, for if they have declared another war on each other…Kurt hopes God will protect the unfortunate who gets caught in the crossfire.
In the big top tent, Jimaine is practicing on her own, when she is beckoned by Sabu, who asks her if she minds an „old timer" warming up with her this morning. Jimaine tells Sabu, the master aerialist, that it would be an honor to train with him, but only if her mother did not send him here to try and change her mind about leaving! Sabu tells Jimaine that she knows her mother needs no messengers to make that clear. ‘Too true’ Jimaine says as she grabs the trapeze Sabu throws at her.
From across the other podium, Sabu asks Jimaine if she wouldn’t mind him standing in for her tonight, what with it being Kurt’s final performance. Jimaine lands besides Sabu, as he tells her that as Kurt’s mentor, he would be greatly honored to share the spotlight with his star pupil one last time. Jimaine tells Sabu that that is sweet, and Kurt would love it, before telling Sabu that she cannot wait to leave the big top and get on the road, even if it does mean leaving in the dead of night.
Sabu asks Jimaine if she thinks it is wise to challenge her mother’s wishes, especially as her prowess in the arcane arts belies her role as „fortune teller", Sabu reminds Jimaine that her mother is not the type of woman who takes deception lightly. ‘Like mother, like daughter’ says Jimaine, before adding that for all they know, her mother could be spying on them right now. She tells Sabu she doesn’t care, because when morning comes and the circus packs up to leave, she will be doing the same. Sabu looks at Jimaine with concern.
Blood drips from Margali onto her crystal ball, as she watches her daughter telling Sabu there is nothing her mother can do to stop her. Margali does not blink, she does not move, except for her hands around the crystal ball. She proclaims youth means foolishness, and that she warned her daughter of the awful destiny lying in wait over the horizon. Margali is cross that Jimaine mocked her ways and refused to heed that warning. The crystal ball fades from view, and the blood spins around in the air. Jimaine’s disrespect aside, Margali knows she cannot let her daughter leave the fold, and announces that Belasco may reap his evil harvest sooner than even she anticipated.
Hovering above the pentagram yet again, Margali decides that it is time for a sacrifice to be made so that the sanctity of her coven can be upheld against as a ward against the shadows. Margali decides that it must be a sacrifice that is true to the essence of the Winding Way, yet terrible for the human heart and mind to fathom. ‘A true and terrible sacrifice indeed…’
Later, after night has fallen, patrons have filled the seats of the circus yet again, and the stilt-walking ringmaster introduces the next act, Kurt Wagner, as the Nightcrawler! The audience looks around in anticipation for Nightcrawler, but Kurt is still backstage, wondering where his sister is, he thought she would at least be here for his last show. Haus asks Kurt if he and Jimaine are really leaving, and tells him that he misses him already. The flexible woman tells Haus that he is not the only one, as the bog top bleachers have never been this full! Kurt agrees, and hope Jimaine does not miss it, because this is going to be a killer show, he adds.
Jimaine packs the last of her things into her suitcase, and realizes that having spent her whole life in the circus all she has is one half-full suitcase. She decides she is definitely doing the right thing by leaving. A clawed hand reaches for Jimaine, telling her to go and not look back. Jimaine asks who is there, and is scared when she sees Belasco. He tells her it is her future master, and that if she forsakes her training now, not only does she break her mother’s chain of command over the Winding Way, but she also hastens his inevitable possession of the Soulsword!
Jimaine dodges out of the Demon Lords way telling him that his hollow threats don’t scare her, as she knows he is a practiced liar, and she proclaims that her mother is more than sorceress enough to stop him. Belasco asks if that is true before a loud snap is heard, and a cry. Jimaine’s eyes look back, and rushing from her room to the big top where the scream came from she asks Belasco what he has done. But what Jimaine does not see is Belasco’s form slowly dissipating, as he tells her to consider it a portent of things to come once she leaves, before the form fades completely, revealing Margali, Jimaine’s mother, who in disguise just tricked her daughter.
Jimaine runs to the bog top as the screaming mob of patrons runs from it, her heart filled with dread, and she enters the circus tent only to find…Sabu, dead. Jimaine cries out ‘Oh my God. No!’ Kurt kneels over Sabu, and the other performers stand nearby. Kurt tells his sister that it happened so fast, the trapeze just snapped. Tears fall from his eyes as he says he couldn’t teleport in time to save him. Wide-eyed still, Jimaine covers her face in shock, in her mind she tells Sabu she is sorry, as it shouldn’t be he who is broken…’It should have been – me’!
Days later, following Sabu’s funeral, Jimaine pouts as she asks Kurt if he is ready to go. He tells his sister that he is, that he has packed his Errol Flynn memorabilia and some changes of clothes, that he is ready to take it „on the road" like the American novelist, Jack Kerouac. He tells Jimaine he wishes she were coming with him and she tells Kurt back that she wishes she were too, but after what happened…Jimaine’s voice trails off, before telling Kurt that their mother was right, and if she is ever to avenge Sabu, then she must become Margali’s disciple.
Kurt and Jimaine embrace as she tells him that she is going to miss him while he is traveling, and again that she wishes she could join him. Kurt tells his sister that it is a true and terrible sacarifice that she has to make, but swears to her that someday they will be together before they kiss.


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Broken Vows - the Aftermath of the Battle for Britain
Hong Kong. The rain beats down - hard - upon a powerful young woman who suddenly feels incredibly alone. Sitting on a rooftop, she holds a wedding ring in one of her hands and stares at it. ‘”I, Meggan…do solemnly swear…to take you - Brian Braddock - to be my lawfully wedded husband…”’ she says. ‘”To love, to honor and cherish…for richer or for poorer…in sickness and in health…as long as we both shall live”’. Meggan stands up and exclaims that she would have gladly vowed all of those things to Brian, her one true love, but asks how she can endure this loneliness without him, and prepares to throw the ring down into the city below her, until a voice cries ‘Meggan, nyet!’.
Meggan stops and turns to where her teammate Piotr “Colossus” Rasputin has climbed onto the roof, and asks her what she is doing. Meggan tells her fellow member of Excalibur, Britains premiere super heroes, that he does not want to be here right now. ‘Why? So you can catch your death, spending all night in the rain, all alone?’ Colossus asks, holding out a raincoat to Meggan, while pointing out that her elemental powers could keep her dry. ‘There. An invisible air shield’ Meggan mutters as she blocks the rain from hitting the two of them with ease. ‘Happy now?’ she asks.
Colossus asks Meggan to come inside, and to tell him what is wrong, Meggan drops back to the ground and on her knees, she hugs herself, exclaiming that she misses Brian. She misses him so much that it hurts. Meggan reveals that she hasn’t slept a wink since Brian left, and that when she does sleep, she is awakened by the nightmare that he is gone forever. Colossus looks at his friend, thinking that she has been so lonely, so isolated since Captain Britain’s departure last week.
Colossus assures Meggan that they all miss Brian, and reminds her that Brian does love her and will return someday, which is why nothing can ever truly keep them apart. Piotr takes Meggan in his arms while Meggan tells him that he is right, as she and Brian have been through so much together. ‘He completes me…and I, him. I suppose’. Meggan tells Colossus that as long as she has a friend like him, then she will never be alone.
Meanwhile, indoors, dry and warm, Meggan and Colossus’ teammates await the arrival of an old friend - some less patiently than others. Rahne “Wolfsbane” Sinclair tells her anxious team leader, Kurt “Nightcrawler” Wagner that their friend will be here in a second and suggests that he relaxes. Kurt replies that he can’t, as he does not like being in this viper’s den one bit. Pete Wisdom sits on a couch with his lover and teammate Kitty “Shadowcat” Pryde points out that Shaw Industries is a world-renowned mega-corp, and asks what the big deal is. Kitty smiles and informs Pete that the “big deal” is that this building, and the entire company is owned by one of the X-Men’s deadliest enemies, Sebastian Shaw.
Rahne uses her wolf-like senses and sniffs around, assuring her teammates that she detects no trace of Sebastian Shaw or any of those other Spaleens from the Hellfire Club, before announcing that she does smell one familiar scent, and calls out to him as he enters the room, ‘Dr. Rory Campbell!’ Rory greets his friends and remarks that it has been a while since they have all seen each other. Rahne and Kitty go over and hug Rory, with Rahne exclaiming that it is good to see him again, and Kitty agrees, before motioning to Rory’s prosthetic leg and declaring that he is walking on two legs again.
Rory, who is dressed in a spandex purple and reddish-brown outfit tells the girls to take it easy, and admits that while he may be bipedal again, the prosthetic and he are still getting acquainted with one another, and taps his cybernetic leg with his cane which he uses to help support him. Wisdom frowns and tells Rory that he has a nice piece of hardware there, and that it was awful generous of Shaw. Rory shakes Kurt’s hand while declaring that whether they believe it or not, Shaw is an honorable man, and that it is a shame he is not here to prove it.
Nightcrawler tells Rory that, just the same, he breathes much easier knowing Shaw is not here, before pointing out that he doubts Shaw would approve of Rory using his Shaw Industries privileges to shuttle Excalibur back home to Muir Island. Rory puts his arms around Kitty and Rahne while telling Kurt that he will worry about Shaw, before suggesting that they all catch up on old times, while maxing out his corporate account with some killer shopping sprees and a slew of lavish dinners. ‘Sweet!’ Kitty and Rahne exclaim while hi-fiving each other.
Kurt asks Wisdom if he is thinking the same as him, to which Wisdom replies he is and asks Kurt if he would like him to do some checking up on their old “pal”. Kurt watches Rory and tells Wisdom that he would, but to be discreet about it, for although Rory is a long-trusted friend, the shadow of Ahab - the mutant-hating monster he might someday become hangs heavily over his head. ‘God help us if Shaw is manipulating him to such a horrific end’ Kurt remarks, before telling Wisdom to go and investigate while he covers for him.
And so, while his friends prepare for a night full of reunions and revelry, Wisdom makes his getaway, surreptitiously past unsuspecting guards, down level after level to the nucleus of Shaw Industries’ M.I.S. department. Tapping away at the keyboard while puffing, as usual, on a cigarette, Wisdom thinks to himself that he will now see what Dr. Campbell has been up to since they last parted. Wisdom learns that Rory went to Japan to get fitted for the prosthetic, then parted company with Alistaire Stuart, who returned to England, ‘Most likely to re-organize that mess we call W.H.O.!’ Wisdom thinks to himself, referring to the Weird Happenings Organization, where Alistaire Stuart has worked for a long time. Next Wisdom reads that Rory came to Hong Kong to thank Shaw, and decides that nothing seems out of the ordinary.
Wisdom hopes that no one will notice if he checks into something a bit more personal, and bypasses the external security codes, linking him to Muir Island’s server. ‘C’mon, stupid freaking modem!’ he mutters, complaining about the speed of the modem. Suddenly, the computer informs Wisdom that he has a vid-mail, which causes Pete to smile. Pete complains that Excalibur have been in Hong Kong for a week now and he still has no leads about that ‘Cheeky bird from “Peckham”’, and thinks that Jardine had better come through for him this time.
Jardine’s face appears on the screen in the vid-mail and Jardine informs Pete that he has gathered the information he was so desperate for, and is afraid that “the jig is up”. Jardine suggests that Pete go to the “ratskeller” in Hamburg ASAP, where he will find their old “friend” Goethe, who will provide him with all the information he requires. On the video recording, Jardine looks around anxiously before telling Pete that he better go, as the link-up is dicey enough as it is, before revealing that he thinks he has been followed. Suddenly, a voice off screen asks Jardine if he wants to quit flapping his gums. ‘No! Stay back! Not you!’ Jardine exclaims, before screaming as he is shot in the head.
A shocked Pete sees Jardine blasted all over the camera, before the screen goes dead. Pete gets up and leaves the room while thinking that his gut told him it would come to thins. ‘I’m so sorry’ he says to the dead Jardine, before declaring that his sacrifice will not be in vain. Wisdom safely logs off the Muir Island server, though he is shaken to the core, he departs the communications room, his cyber-tracks clear - but someone is following his physical form.
A few hours later, in Hong Kong’s sprawling Western district, and after Excalibur have nearly exhausted Rory’s expense account, some choosing to indulge themselves and simply “let it all hang out” in a way their danger-fraught lives rarely allow. Entering a restaurant, a waiter motions for the group to enter, and informs Dr. Campbell that his usual table awaits him. Wisdom examines Kitty’s skimpy new dress and tells her that she is looking mighty fine, while Kitty tells Wisdom that he is looking as rumpled as ever.
Others prefer to take a more conservative approach, such as Nightcrawler, who Colossus remarks is using the old image inducer to disguise himself as his boyhood hero, Errol Flynn. Kurt smiles, before remarking that he may be an utterly handsome and dashing blue-furred silver-tongued devil, but he would rather not draw any attention to the group tonight. At a table nearby, a man overhears Kurt’s remark and thinks to himself ‘A wise strategy, misfit…but a marginally successful one at best!’
Several courses, and servings of rice wine later, Excalibur and Rory are kneeling around a table, and Rory has just learnt that Captain Britain has lost his powers. ‘Such a hale and hearty chap to be cut down so soon in his super-heroic prime!’ Rory remarks, to which Meggan declares that Brian will be back, as he can survive anything. Rory tells himself that he is hiding his shame with small talk, and wonders if his old friends would still be as friendly if they knew that he had traded vital data on the Legacy Virus to one of their greatest enemies - all for the price of being able to walk on two legs again?
‘Speaking of absent friends, where’s the lovely Amanda Sefton?’ Rory asks. Colossus and Kitty look at each other, ‘Uh-oh’ the mutters, to which Nightcrawler notices and asks if there is something he should know about. Colossus wipes his mouth with a napkin, before telling Kurt that it all happened so suddenly, that Amanda felt she hadn’t been herself lately as a member of Excalibur and that she simply needed to leave. Kurt looks shocked, and remarks that Amanda couldn’t even say goodbye to him, her boyfriend! Colossus replies that Amanda didn’t say anything else, and that with everything that has happened since, he simply forgot to tell him, and apologizes for that.
Wisdom smiles, ‘Ah, you know birds, Wagner’ he begins, ‘Oh boy, here he goes’ Kitty mutters as Pete continues: ‘They say they want a stable and steady relationship to keep you at the nest, but they’re just waiting for you to turn your back and fly the coop themselves!’ Unaware that the man who overheard Nightcrawler’s comment earlier is creeping up beside her, Kitty tells Wisdom that the comment he made is one of the most juvenile, insecure and totally idiotic statements she has ever heard from any inebriated man’s mouth in her entire life!
Suddenly, ‘Greetings, musume, I have returned for you - “daughter”!’ the mysterious man exclaims in a hazy green glow, before his form takes over that of Kitty’s. Kitty just stares blankly ahead as Wisdom tells her to come off it, as he was just trying to cheer Nightcrawler up, before asking her if she wants her last egg roll. When Kitty doesn’t respond, Wisdom asks her if she is okay, but there is still no response, even we he waves his hand in front of Kitty’s emotionless face. Wisdom alerts his teammates, ‘Call me crazy, folks, but I think we’ve got a problem here!’ he exclaims, when suddenly Kitty leaps up, her eyes glowing yellow she exclaims ‘Correction, mortal - you have lots of problems!’ before throwing Wisdom through the rice paper wall and tossing some knives at him with deadly accuracy.
Nightcrawler asks Kitty what she is doing, to which Wisdom exclaims ‘Making a big mistake - that’s what!’ and telling Shadowcat that if she thinks she has some “hot knives”, before unleashing his own mutant power - literal hot knives, and aiming them the table where Shadowcat is standing. While Rahne warns everyone to duck, the possessed Shadowcat uses her own mutant power of intangibility to protect her from Wisdom’s scorching hot knives. Colossus examines his former girlfriend and wonders if she has lost her mind, for what would possess her to attack Wisdom like that?
Colossus decides that they must subdue Shadowcat without anyone getting hurt and believes that in his armored form he can accomplish that task best, so shifts into his super strong form and goes up behind Kitty, who in a strange voice exclaims ‘Ah, the invulnerable metal man I once loved!’ before Colossus tells Kitty that he doesn’t want to harm her, but that she is endangering not only the lives of her friends, but of the many innocent bystanders, so this madness must cease! Colossus grabs Kitty, who shouts, in her own voice, that he is hurting her, to which Colossus assumes to mean that she is herself again as it is her normal voice. He begins to apologize to her and loosen his grasp - until Shadowcat slams a foot against one of Colossus’ shins, and in the strange voice shouts ‘Fool! Despite your steely hide, you too can be felled - by one skilled in the arts of the ninja - and wielding the powers of a ghost!’
With that, Kitty phases into the floor beneath them, and Kurt instantly teleports, while ordering his teammates to go to the basement. In a puff full of smoke and the stench of brimstone, Excalibur’s leader has returned to his true self, the blue-skinned sword-wielding mutant and thinks to himself that it is good to be his true self again, without the holographic contraption. Kurt knows that he has to find Kitty, and wonders what could have triggered such a psychotic behavior, thinking that perhaps Kitty’s food could have been drugged.
Kurt wonders if his previous fears about Shaw were justified, before deciding against it, for if that were the case all of Excalibur would have been targets, not just Kitty. Kurt suddenly recalls that Kitty and Wolverine shared an adventure in the Orient during their days with the X-Men, and although neither Logan nor Kitty told the X-Men exactly what happened, he cannot shake the feeling that this is somehow connected, unaware that a glowing pair of eyes is watching him from the darkness.
Back upstairs, Rory calls out to his friends, telling them not to tear the place apart as they rush to find Shadowcat. Wisdom tells Rory to let his “employer” cover the damages, as they have more important things on their plate right now - funnily enough, Wolfsbane crashes through a pile of plates - before a waitress screams ‘A werewolf!’ Rahne, who is naked in her wolfen form as she was not wearing her spandex costume underneath her dress decides that although she would be able to track Kitty’s scent better as a wolf, she is much stronger and swifter in this transitional form, and that judging by Kitty’s less-than-predictable demeanor, she has got to stay on her toes - but suddenly, ‘Nice try, changeling!’ the possessed Kitty exclaims as she comes up behind Rahne and “karate chops” her.
Nightcrawler hears Wolfsbane scream and teleports to her location, asking Rahne if she is okay. Rahne explains that she got caught off-guard, and doesn’t understand why Kitty attacked her then just ran away. Nightcrawler suggests that Kitty might be fighting the forces that are influencing her and wishes they could flush her out of the darkness. At that moment, Meggan, Colossus and Wisdom enter the room and Meggan, who overheard Kurt’s comment, exclaims that a little light can do that, and begins focusing her elemental powers, causing her entire body to glow with an eerie incandescence, chasing away the shadows, to reveal Kitty, back against a wall, who, in the strange voice, cries ‘You are too late, mortals! The Shadowcat is mine!’
‘Wrong!’ exclaims Pete as he drops his cigarette to the ground and stubs it out. ‘That girl ain’t no man’s property, old codger!’ Wisdom tells whoever it is possessing Kitty to let her go so they can settle this the old fashioned way - ‘Man to monster!’ but the possessed Kitty cries ‘NO!’ and in the strange voice exclaims ‘When first our paths crossed and I tapped the destructive potential dormant within this special child - I vowed that I would someday possess her for myself! Now that I have returned to the land of the living, I swear that vow once more - and neither man, nor “mutant” shall deny me my claim!’
Wisdom approaches Kitty slowly, telling whoever has possessed her that there is likely to be some people begging to differ on that point - starting with him. Suddenly, Kitty’s mysterious possessor reveals himself as Ogun, remarking that Wisdom misunderstands, for once he has destroyed those nearest and dearest to Shadowcat, especially the meddling Wolverine, Kitty’s very soul, her very essence will become his willing thrall. ’So you see - alive or dead, it’s all the same to me!’ Wisdom looks Ogun-Kitty in the face, ’A pint and a pound says you’re bluffing!’ Wisdom exclaims, holding his hot knives up and declaring that he thinks Ogun’s spirit needs a home and that Kitty’s body is it.
When Wisdom suggests that if Kitty’s body dies, then Ogun will die with it, Ogun is shocked and exclaims ‘You’re mad! Surely you’d not slay your beloved!’ Pete just shoves his hot knives closer to Ogun and exclaims ‘To save her from the likes of you…? Try me!’ Ogun warns Wisdom that he has made a grave mistake on this day, and boasts that there shall come a reckoning, ‘I shall return to plague you and yours forever!’ he exclaims as his form leaves Kitty.
Kitty screams as she falls to the ground, only for Wisdom to catch her, while replying to Ogun ‘Whenever and wherever, ya bloody git, I’ll be waiting!’ Kitty smiles at Wisdom and asks him what happened, to which Pete replies that he is not really sure, but he is not giving her a set of steak knives for her next birthday, that is for sure!
The next morning, at an airstrip, Rory tells his friends that it was nice seeing them all again, before motioning to the separate jets and asking why they are travelling separately. Kurt replies that he is in need of some seriously well earned rest and relaxation, and reveals that he is going home to Germany to see if his mother Margali knows anything about Amanda. Wisdom announces that he is going with Kurt to do some clubbing, and Kitty remarks that she and Rahne are heading back to Muir Island to get some beauty sleep. Wisdom lights a cigarette and tells Kurt that there was not a single reason to worry about Sebastian Shaw this whole trip. Kurt just smiles.
Rory shakes Colossus’ hand and asks him what he and Meggan are going to do - ‘Heading back to dreary old Muir Island to check up on Dr. MacTaggert?’ Colossus replies that Rahne is going to do enough of that for everyone, as she is worried about her foster mother, while he and Meggan are off to see the sights of Paris. Rory tells Colossus that they will arrive in Paris in no time, for not only are Shaw Industries jets the safest, most reliable aircraft in the world, but so are the pilots!
Soon, after all the jets have taken off, Colossus remarks that oddly, the plane just changed direction, rather abruptly. Meggan motions to the Swiss Alps out the window and Colossus wonders if perhaps something is wrong, so he goes into the cockpit and asks the pilot why the sudden course correction. ‘Why, mutant?’ the pilot asks, before jumping out of his chair and pulling back his jacket, revealing a bomb with only two seconds left on it as he exclaims ‘Because my “employer” wants you dead!’ Colossus realizes that the bomb is about to explode - but he doesn’t get a chance to do anything about it, as indeed, the bomb explodes, blowing the aircraft up - with Colossus and Meggan still aboard….


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Survival
If a burning plane crashes in a remote expanse of the Swiss Alps…and no one is around to hear its violent impact upon the jagged mountainside…will its passengers be any less dead?
Not if the passengers are super human, such as the Russian mutant Piotr Rasputin a.k.a. Colossus, who manages to grab controls, declaring that he will elevate this plane as it nosedives towards the snowy mountains below. Colossus is a member of the “international heroes”, Excalibur, whose superhuman strength and organic steel hide protect him from the devastating explosion triggered by the plane’s suicidal pilot. Now though, those qualities Colossus’ possesses may be all that stands between his survival and the life of his elemental teammate, the founding member of Excalibur, Meggan.
Meggan enters the cockpit and asks Colossus what is going on, to which Piotr replies that, thanks to their pilot, they are on a collision course with the nearest mountain, adding that he is trying to land them safely. Meggan exclaims that she can do that, explaining that she can create a wind to slow their descent and cushion their fall. Hurriedly, Colossus tells Meggan that if she is going to use her elemental powers, then he suggests she does it post haste, as time and gravity are not on their side!
‘Righty-o!’ Meggan exclaims before she begins to communicate with the molecules of the air in a language unspoken by human lips, and rouses a gale force blast beneath the ship. However - before Meggan can tame the whipping wind, she screams in pain. Colossus turns to her and asks what is wrong. Meggan manages to inform Piotr that something is disrupting her rapport with nature, so she cannot keep them aloft. ‘Oh, Piotr! It hurts! Make it stop!’ she exclaims. Colossus wonders what he can do, as they only have moments left. He feels that he must help Meggan, despite knowing that if he does, then they will most certainly crash - which is exactly what happens a moment later.
Meanwhile, in the bustling city of Hamburg, Germany, at the ultra-chic Ratskeller Club, the beat is hot - and the dancers hotter! The music is loud, a Chemical Brothers song is currently playing: Who is this doin’ this synthetic kinda alpha beta psychedelic funkin’  can be heard outside in the rain-drenched street, while inside, the shadowy, sin-filled corners make the ideal spot for a person to hide - such as German-born Kurt “Nightcrawler” Wagner, the swashbuckling leader of Excalibur. Kurt thinks that it is a good thing his features blend into the shadows, or else his and Wisdom’s “cover” might be blown, especially as he does not feel like using an image inducer tonight, not that he quite understands why Wisdom was so desperate to come here.
Kurt was hoping to return to his Bavarian forest to find out why his foster sister Amanda “Daytripper” Sefton recently quit Excalibur, just up and leaving without saying goodbye to him. ‘How I miss her’ he thinks to himself, when His teammate Pete Wisdom, trademark cigarette hanging out of his mouth returns to the table with two beers. Wisdom sees Kurt’s forlorn expression and asks him if he is still pining over Amanda. ‘Not that she wasn’t a bit of alright, but there are plenty of other birds in the bush, if ya ask me!’ Wisdom exclaims trying to cheer Kurt up.
‘Precisely why I didn’t ask you, Peter!’ Wisdom replies as he drinks his beer, before asking Wisdom where his contact is. Pete stubs his cigarette out and lights another, and motioning to a table in the opposite corner, ‘The weasely git’ Wisdom describes his contact as, with the “silicon sallies” hanging all over him. Kurt replies that he sees him, and asks Wisdom if the man is expecting them. ‘Nope - far as he knows I’m a “ghost” - and he’s in for the fright of his life!’
The man is loving the attention the two women are giving him and asks them if he ever told them how he single-handedly trashed a cadre of Hand assassins. ‘Do tell us!’ one of the girls exclaims. ‘Sounds dangerous!’ the other remarks. The man grins, ‘Ah, but it was!’ he boasts, exclaiming that he stood, surrounded with no place to run, so he raised his guard like the expert pugilist he was trained to be - ‘Hey!’ he shouts when Wisdom grabs him from behind the sofa and pushes him up against the wall. ‘Telling tall tales again, Goethe?’ Wisdom asks. Goethe is shocked, ‘Wisdom? Is that really you?’ he asks. ‘You sound disappointed’ Wisdom points out, ‘Like you thought I might be six feet under by now, right?’ he asks.
Goethe replies ‘Nein!’ and asks why he would want such a thing. ‘I don’t know, maybe for the same reason someone wanted Jardine dead?’ Wisdom asks. Wisdom holds a hot knife up to Goethe’s face while Goethe claims that he has no idea what Wisdom is talking about. Wisdom warns Goethe that he is playing dumb to the wrong audience and declares that he has no problems icin’ a scummy spy like him, before remarking that it is getting awfully cold in here, ‘Want I should turn up the “heat” a bit?’ Wisdom asks as he unleashes another hot knife, this time on the other side of Goethe’s face.
Goethe swears to Wisdom that he doesn’t know who killed Jardine, and reveals that he knew Jardine was terminated for getting too close to some very top secret information - information that would tilt the global balance of power! Goethe tells Wisdom that he will have to seek further answers elsewhere, assuring him that is all he knows. Wisdom drops Goethe to the ground, ‘Thanks for nothing, you’re as useless as ever’ Wisdom declares as he walks back to his table, while Goethe suggests that Wisdom watches his back, ‘Odds are your newfound “friends” are the next targets!’ he reveals. ‘Bring ‘em on then, I’ll be ready!’ Wisdom replies, thinking to himself that he will be alone.
Kurt smiles, ‘My, my, my - how very Wolverine of you’ he jokes, before asking Wisdom if it was as informative as he had hoped. ‘And then some!’ Wisdom exclaims, while thinking that Goethe may be spineless, but that his information is usually accurate. Wisdom has his suspicions as to the culprits identity, and wants to explore all possibilities before he starts hunting them down. ‘Cause if she thinks they can go gunning for my friends and get away scot free - she’s got another think coming!’ Wisdom thinks to himself about the possible culprit.
Later that night, back on the Alps, where the already sub-zero temperature begins to drop, and Colossus and Meggan’s struggle for survival becomes exponentially more desperate. The plane lies scattered over the snow covered terrain, while Colossus begins to regain consciousness, realizing that he must have reverted to his human form when he fell unconscious. Freezing, he returns to his metallic form, protecting himself from the harsh elements. Colossus wonders what has happened to Meggan and calls out to her, asking her if she is all right.
But when he gets no answer, he becomes increasingly more worried, and rips apart the remains of the plane in search for her - he finds her unmoving body, but ascertains that she is breathing, which is a good sign. Colossus finds a blanket in the plane wreckage and wraps it around his friend, whispering to her that it will keep her warm. Wearily, Meggan tells Colossus that powerful mystic forces are attacking, repulsing her. ‘Knights ascendant…into battle…glorious…and terrible…tower to the…Northeast…’ she manages to utter, before slipping into unconsciousness.
Colossus tells Meggan to hush and rest, while wishing that his friends powers were not so strange and inexplicable, thinking that the last comment she made might be some sort of premonition. Colossus decides that there is no time to puzzle that out now, as they need to find shelter, when suddenly he sees a glow in the distance and wonders if it is the tower which Meggan spoke of. Knowing there is only one way to find out for certain, Colossus begins a trek towards it, carrying Meggan he begins to head in the Northeast direction, while praying that they do not find themselves in the middle of some war.
Meanwhile, on Muir Island, a division of the Xavier Institute, this is the world’s foremost center for genetic research, located on a secluded land mass of the coast of Cape Wrath, Scotland, it also serves as Excalibur’s headquarters. But to the team’s youngest member, Rahne “Wolfsbane” Sinclair, this has been, for most of her life, home - a home that has, of late, been cast in the shadow of a dark and looming cloud. Rahne looks out the window into the stormy night and thinks to herself that so much has changed since Lady Moira became ill, and that she is trying so hard to be strong for her.
Rahne’s thoughts are interrupted by her teammate, the techno-organic Douglock, who announces that he is finally going to save the princess. Rahne shifts into a half-girl, half-wolf form and flips over to her friend, ‘Way cool!’ she exclaims as Douglock sits at his computer game, before Rahne points out that his face is all fleshy, and asks if something is wrong with the image inducer. Douglock replies that he wanted to get used to wearing the image inducer in public, so decided to start wearing it around the house. Rahne smiles before reminding Douglock that Kurt is blue and fuzzy, Piotr can turn to steel, and she is a werewolf, so who is going to notice. ‘Besides, I think you’re rather unique’ she adds.
Douglock is surprised by this, ‘Unique? Me? Really?’ he asks. ‘Cool’ he thinks to himself, before switching the image inducer off and returning to his alien form, before asking Rahne what she is writing about. Holding her diary, Rahne replies that it is just some things that are on her mind, personal things, about someone very near and dear to her. ‘Uh, yeah. Personal. Gotcha’ Douglock replies, before thinking to himself that Rahne has been really sweet to him, even though he is not her dead friend Doug Ramsey. ‘Sweeter than anyone on the team, actually’ he decides, thinking that Rahne is going out of her way to make him feel welcome. Douglock tells himself that this is strange, but that he believes he is experiencing something akin to what is known as “affection”, and wonder if Rahne is experiencing that also.
There is a knock at the door, and the royal Scotswoman Dr. Moira MacTaggert enters the room, asking Rahne and Douglock if either of them feels like braving the nasty weather for a tall, frothy malted milk. However, Moira thinks to herself ‘That’s it, MacTaggert, stiff upper lip in front of the kids - and maybe they wont notice you’re getting sicker by the day…’. Rahne and Douglock look at each other - “Malted milk?” they exclaim before laughing hysterically. Moira smiles and asks Rahne and Douglock what is so funny, to which Rahne asks her mother if she has been locked away in her lab so long that she has forgotten they are now called “milk shakes”.
Moira smiles and suggests that she could return to her lab, to which Rahne tells her not to, and exclaims that they would love to join her. The trio leaves the room when Douglock suddenly rushes back in. Rahne asks him where he is going, to which Douglock replies that he forgot his image inducer. ‘Wouldn’t want me to go out in public “naked” now, would you?’ he asks. Back in the room, Douglock picks up his image inducer, before noticing that Rahne left her diary open. Picking it up, Douglock tells himself that he cannot look, as it would be an invasion of Rahne’s privacy, before wondering if it says something about him in it.
Douglock begins to read:
God…You’ve got to keep my Mum alive. She means the world to me, and if she finds a cure for that dreaded disease that’s killing people, then she’s likely to mean something to lot’s more people than just myself. I do not know what I - or they - would do without her.
I have faith in you, Lord, I believe you won’t fail me.
Douglock thinks to himself, ‘Oh, Rahne, I’m so sorry, before putting the diary back down as Rahne calls out to him, informing him that the trawler is ready to go. ‘Uh, coming!’ Douglock replies as he rushes from the room.
Back on the Alps, mere hours before sunrise. Colossus wonders if this storm will never cease, adding that it is bad enough as he cannot see if they are any closer to that tower, before fearing that Meggan is suffering from frost bite. Colossus supposes that whatever force assaulted her on the jet must still be inhibiting her powers, for it is as if the land itself were a thing of magic. Colossus hopes that Meggan will not succumb so quickly if he talks to her, keeps her mind alive, so he calls out to her, asking her if she can hear him. With her eyes closed, Meggan replies that she cannot feel her feet, and admits that she is frightened, before asking if they are going to die. Colossus tells Meggan that she must not give up hope, and declares that so long as his lungs still draw breath, and his limbs possess strength to press onward, they will survive.
Meanwhile, at the Documenta Arts Archives in Kassel, Germany, the rain continues to beat down as Wisdom approaches the magnificent building, thinking to himself ‘If I know that girl as well as I used to, she’s likely tucked away in the basement of one of these museums!’ All Wisdom has to do now is find out which one! Wisdom almost feels sorry that he left Kurt behind, but he has no time for any “yay team” hullabaloo, this has to be strictly a solo mission, when suddenly, Nightcrawler bamfs behind Wisdom and wraps his tail around Wisdom’s face. ‘Going somewhere, my friend?’ Kurt asks in his native German.
Wisdom tells Kurt to keep his voice down, to which Kurt tells Pete to forgive him for crashing this clearly private party, ‘But you’re not here to admire fine art, are you?’ he asks. Wisdom tells Nightcrawler to walk away from this one, that he doesn’t want to get involved. Kurt leaps around Wisdom, telling him that it is too late, so long as they are teammates, he is involved. ‘How’d I know you’d say that?’ Wisdom mutters, before suggesting that Kurt bamf back into the hotel and get himself a good nights sleep. ‘Don’t wanna be too tired for your trip to the old circus in the morning!’ Wisdom points out.
Kurt begins tapping a foot impatiently as he informs Wisdom that he is not going anywhere now. ‘Your antics have got my undivided attention!’ he exclaims. ‘Bloody heck’ Wisdom mutters as the rain pours down on him and he stubs a cigarette out into the wet ground. Pete informs Kurt that it started with an e-mail from an “old friend” that he hoped to never hear from again. It read:
Darling Peter, long have I thought about those sultry days and endless, blissful nights we spent together in Peckham…and despite even my better judgment, I find myself longing for them once more.
Til we meet again…soon.
Wisdom reveals to Kurt that his contact in British Intelligence, actually his best friend in the world - Jardine, unearthed some nasty secret about this woman, and paid for it with his life. ‘So what brings me out in this ruddy downpour in the middle of the night? Blood’ Wisdom exclaims, when suddenly there is a blinding light and Wisdom and Nightcrawler cannot see anything as a voice exclaims ‘A pity the only blood gonna be spilled tonight “Darling Peter”, is yours!’ before there is a barrage of gun shots.
Meanwhile, dawn on the Alps, and still Colossus presses on as the snow continues to drop on him. This long night’s journey into morning has taxed Piotr more than any he has walked before - but he still presses on. Countless footfalls through waist-deep snow behind him, his aching muscles tear and rip with every step he takes - but still he presses on. Driven past the point of exhaustion though, Colossus’ will is poised to break like the fragile icicles gathered on his brow - yet even further still, for the fading like of the friend in his armored hands he presses on, until finally, ‘Meggan, please…forgive me’ he whispers before falling to the snow with a thud.
He had reason though, for his seemingly interminable quest for survival has finally come to an end - ‘Bozhe moi!’ Piotr exclaims, for salvation is in sight - a sprawling technological citadel is only a small distance away!


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Provide a full summary of the comic book.

[Assistant]
Faith
Dawn, on Muir Island, the world’s foremost center for genetic research, and home to the international team of heroes known as Excalibur. Dr. Moira MacTaggert and her foster daughter, the youngest member of Excalibur Rahne “Wolfsbane” Sinclair are saying goodbye at the dock. Rahne tells Moira that she won’t go if she wishes, to which Moira tells Rahne not to be so “sapsy”. ‘Go see your friends, have a good time at your “New Mutants Reunion” she adds. ‘But what if your condition gets worse?’ Rahne asks, to which Moira tells her not to fret, and adds that she will miss her lots.
‘Now who’s being “sapsy”?’ Rahne asks, smiling, before reminding Moira that it will only be for a weekend, so she will be home real soon. Moira tells Rahne to watch herself, as there is no telling what kind of trouble Bastion is stirring up for mutants in the States, when the dock master calls out ‘All aboard!’ Rahne smiles and reminds Moira that she is a big girl and can take care of herself, to which Moira replies that she knows, and tells Rahne that she makes her proud, and that she loves her. ‘And I love you too, Mum. Lots’ Rahne replies smiling.
Moira watches Rahne walk to the boat and thinks to herself that it seems like just yesterday when she took Rahne in as her own. Moira decides that Rahne is her only family now, and wants to spend as much time with her as possible - ‘But thanks to the bloody Legacy Virus, I’m not sure I got much time left!’ Crying, Moira prays that she will still be here when Rahne returns.
Rahne looks back at Moira and tells herself to keep a stiff upper lip, as Moira will find a cure to lick this disease that is killing her. ‘But if - Heaven forbid - she can’t…’ Rahne thinks, before reminding herself that the good Lord will hear her prayers and save Moira. ‘I have faith’. Suddenly, Wolfsbane’s teammate, the techno-organic Douglock rushes towards her, ‘Wait up! You forgot this!’ he calls out as he holds her diary out to her. Rahne is surprised to see Douglock, even more so because he is not using his image inducer, so she asks him if he isn’t worried about people seeing him in his true form.
Smiling, Douglock replies ‘Not anymore, and I owe it all to you!’, explaining that it was Rahne who taught him not to be afraid of what he is on the outside, that it is what is on the inside that matters. ‘You taught me to have faith in myself’ he adds. Rahne hugs Douglock and tells him that is the nicest, sweetest thing anyone has ever said to her, before sniffing and remarking that he is going to make her cry. ‘For the record’ Rahne begins, ‘I think you’re just beautiful inside and out!’ and plants a kiss on Douglock’s lips as she tells him that she is going to miss him. Douglock replies that he will miss her, and begins kissing back. The two kiss for what seems like some time, before a embarrassed Rahne pulls back. ‘Oh…my…God!’ Rahne exclaims, before declaring that she has go to go.
‘Uhh, yeah, bye’ Douglock replies as he watches Rahne get onto the boat. It is amazing what can happen in an instant. As Douglock and Wolfsbane have just discovered, sometimes a single kiss is all it takes to change a friendship forever. Rahne looks at Douglock out the window of the small boat, while Douglock thinks that he cannot believe he just did that. ‘Being that close to her did something to me!’ he exclaims to himself, before kicking a rock along the dock as he returns to Moira’s Research Center, and thinking that his olfactory receptors went wild when they registered the scent of her hair. Douglock tells himself that his tactile sensors jammed into overdrive when his oral epidermal layer met Rahne’s. ‘I never knew this was possible, but I think - I’m in love!’ Douglock exclaims, before feeling that it is too bad Rahne probably hates him now.
Meanwhile, deep within a remote valley in the Swiss Alps, at the foot of the legendary magic mountain known to a sacred few as Wundagore. Last night, a jet airliner exploded and crashed not too far from this majestic site. It’s unfortunate passengers - Piotr “Colossus” Rasputin and the elemental Meggan, both of Excalibur. Despite a raging blizzard, they trudged tirelessly from peak to frozen peak, searching for shelter. They failed. And as a new day begins, the heroes’ fierce struggle for survival at last comes to a chilling end - or does it?
Only a short distance from the massive citadel, a cloaked figure approaches the unconscious Colossus and Meggan and tells them that this is no time to be lazing in the snow - as a war is on the horizon! Meggan and Colossus are awakened by the strangers voice, and wearily, they ask ‘Who are you?’, ‘What do you want?’ The stranger pulls back her cloak, and surprises Colossus and Meggan by revealing herself to be a walking, talking cow. ‘The creator has named me Bova’ she reveals.
Bova informs Colossus and Meggan that she wants nothing more than to see them safely out of harm’s way before it is too late. Colossus wonders why Bova’s name is so familiar, to which Bova replies that she has been a friend and ally to the heroes known as the Avengers for a long time, but that is not important now, as she turns to Meggan and points out that she requires immediate medical attention. Meggan thanks Bova but declares that she will be fine, just needs to get on her feet again.
Shortly, the trio approach the gates to the massive citadel, but are stopped by the evolved creature known as Sir Ram. ‘Ho there, cow!’ he exclaims, remarking that it is not wise to be bringing the wayward to Wundagore at such a dire hour. Bova asks Sir Ram to let them past, pointing out that Meggan is injured. Sir Ram replies that Meggan will stay wounded, for he recognizes her cohort as one of the enemy. ‘”Enemy”?’ Colossus asks confused, before informing Sir Ram that he has never seen him before.
Sir Ram watches with amazement as Colossus shifts his form from flesh to metal, and declares that such trickery will not spare him the wrath of a Knight of Wundagore. Sir Ram exclaims that it is his life’s charge to protect this sacred mountain from all who would dare usurp its ancient mysteries, ‘And by the Creator - you shall not have them!’ Sir Ram exclaims as he smacks Colossus with his spear - but it just breaks against Colossus’ strong form, and Colossus punches Sir Ram, sending him careening backwards, while wondering where he knows the name Wundagore from.
Colossus remarks that he doesn’t know who Sir Ram assumes him to be, but that he is not the enemy. Sir Ram calls Colossus a liar and exclaims that he is an Acolyte, one of the vile Exodus’ loathsome brood. Piotr lifts Sir Ram up and swings him into the snow, where he lands with a thump, while Colossus replies that he hates to disappoint him, but that he has him confused with the man he is now, with the man he once was. ‘But you did serve that hateful monster, I saw your image in the Creator’s picture boxes!’ Sir Ram exclaims.
Colossus helps Sir Ram out of the snow, ‘As I said…that was past history. I serve no man but myself now’ he assures Sir Ram, before declaring that if Exodus threatens the sanctity of this home, then he would be honored to stand against him. Sir Ram replies that Colossus’ soul is as noble as his arm is strong, and tells him that he will be a great asset to their cause, before turning to Meggan and patting her on the head, asking what good she will do in battle.
Furious, Meggan spins around, ‘What good? WHAT GOOD? I’ll show you “what good” I can be - you horn-headed, fur-faced macho-mannered GOAT!’ she shouts before casting Sir Ram upwards, high into the air - he just manages to grab onto the top of the citadel while being amazed that he was lifted into the air by a windy gust where once there was none simply because Meggan willed it. ‘Right. Like I said - she ought to do just fine! Umm, er…would you mind helping me down?’ Sir Ram calls down.
Meanwhile, in Kassel, Germany, at the Documenta Art Archives. Every five years, the modern art masterpieces stored within these hallowed walls are taken out and put on public display. Some works are bizarre…some absurd…but to the ever critical eyes of “avant garde society” they are all expressions of genius. Which begs the question - “what about the art of torture?” Does it not merit such praise when executed by a master whose deftness in the ways of pain is conveyed through the agony of his victims?
The “victim” of this particular piece, however, might beg to differ. His name is Pete Wisdom, a member of Excalibur, he is currently chained to a pillar inside the museum. A former spy, Pete Wisdom never begs for anything - not even his life. Battered and bruised, he regains consciousness, wondering where he is, as the last thing he remembers was getting lectured by Nightcrawler about being a team player. He wonders where Nightcrawler is and calls out to him, when a strange voices calls out ‘Looking for your friend? You won’t find him here’. Wisdom recognizes the voice, despite the filter used on it, and calls out ‘You can’t fool me!’.
A female voice tells Wisdom that his hearing is as acute as ever, to which Wisdom suggests she step into the light so he can get a look at her. ‘Pete - I’m insulted!’ the woman exclaims, reminding him that he used to be able to see her with his eyes closed. ‘That’s how well you knew me!’. ‘Yeah, well, out of sight, out of mind’ Pete mumbles, before telling his captor that he still sees her as a cagey bird, still doing that vanishing trick of hers, “hiding in plain sight” and so forth. Wisdom addresses the woman as St Hubbins and asks her to quit mucking around and to tell him what this thing on his neck is.
St. Hubbins steps into the light, holding a weapon up to Pete, St. Hubbins tells Pete that his memory is getting dodgy in his old age, and that she will leave him to figure out what the device attached to his neck is, before telling that as he is not going anywhere, she might as well tell him that he is going to die - and that she is his executioner!
Wisdom tells St. Hubbins to get over herself and points out that his hot knives can melt these chains in a second. ‘Think so? Give it a go, then!’ St. Hubbins smiles. Wisdom does so, unleashing his mutant power on the chains, only for a surge of painful energy to course through his body. When the energy subsides, St. Hubbins taps Wisdom’s neck, explaining that the device is a neural inhibitor. Exhausted, Wisdom remarks that he knows neural inhibitors fries a mutants’ nervous system whenever they use their powers, but that neural inhibitors are top clearance special issue hardware, only for use by the United State’s government mutant group X-Factor - or agents of Black Air!
St. Hubbins flashes Wisdom a tattoo on her lower abdomen, and Wisdom cries ‘No…not again!’, as he realizes there is a nasty storm brewing on the horizon for he and his friends.
Back on the Swiss Alps, the Knights of Wundagore prepare for a tempest of their own under the guidance of the reptilian Lord Gator, and the grizzly Lady Ursula. Lord Gator is communicating with Delphis, and asks him if all his protective wards are in place. Delphis replies that he does for now, but that he doesn’t know how long they will hold. He remarks that in all their years, they have never faced a foe as deadly as Exodus. ‘He ought to prove a most mystifying challenge! I, for one, look forward to testing his mettle!’. Lady Ursula mutters ’That’s because you won’t be fighting on the front lines!’, but Gator calms her down, when suddenly, Sir Ram enters the room with Colossus, Meggan and Bova in tow.
Sir Ram cries out that he has won allies to their cause and brought reinforcements, to which Lord Gator calls him an imbecile and exclaims that he has butted his head so many times that he has knocked all the sense out of it. Gator approaches Colossus but Sir Ram steps in between them, informing Gator that Colossus has renounced his covenant with Exodus, and that he and Meggan have pledged their allegiance to the Knights of Wundagore for the coming battle. ‘And the serpent hides itself innocently among blades of grass before striking its prey. How do we know that you’ve not led a viper into our midst?’ Lord Gator asks. ‘Because you have my word’ Colossus exclaims, before offering to tell Lord Gator exactly how Exodus would storm a tower as well fortified as this.
Before Colossus can begin though, a voice exclaims ‘That will not be necessary, X-Man. I have seen to it personally that my knights possess all of the knowledge they need to repel the renegade!’ Sir Ram and Lord Gator both whisper ‘The Creator speaks!’ while Colossus remembers the voice, well, but never expected to hear it again. ‘Bozhe moi! You!’ he gasps.
Back at Muir Island, Moira and Douglock are working in one of the labs, and Douglock asks Moira if she has seen Kitty. ‘Briefly’ Moira replies, explaining that ever since Kitty got home she has been looking for Lockheed, adding that the dragon has been missing for some time now. ‘Yet no one seemed to notice?’ Douglock asks. Moira points out that things have been rather hectic lately, and with all the commotion, it seems that everyone just forgot to check on him. Moira tells Douglock that there is no real reason to worry, as Douglock is not scared of anything.
However, elsewhere in the sprawling complex, ‘Coo?’ Lockheed whispers, when suddenly, a voice tells Lockheed to drop the “mute” act, as they know he can talk. ‘We said drop it!’ another voice cries out as Lockheed simply gurgles something again, before exclaiming ‘Alright, it’s dropped! It’s dropped!’ and he proceeds to ask his assailants what they want from him, as he thought they were friends. ‘”Friends”? “Friends”?’ a voice asks. ‘Us? Be friends with a loser like you?’ another voice exclaims, before countless pairs of yellow eyes can be seen peering out at Lockheed from the darkness, all cruelly laughing at him. Lockheed begins to cower, and thinks to himself ‘Kitty…somebody…anybody…help!’
Meanwhile, above the Atlantic Ocean, British Airways flight 1013 wings its way towards New York, carrying an excited Rahne Sinclair to a long overdue reunion with some old and dear friends. Rahne writes in her diary while thinking to herself that it will be so good to see Sam, Bobby, Dani and Xi’an, as she misses them all so much. Rahne wishes that Illyana and Doug could be there also, before thinking ‘Doug - if only Douglock was more like you’, suddenly though, she erases that from her diary, wondering why she thought that.
Rahne thinks to herself that Douglock is just as sweet and kind as any other person she knows, and tells herself to admit that she is confused. Confused because a friend has feelings for her - feelings the like of which she has not genuinely felt for anyone in a long time. Rahne admits to herself that when Douglock kissed her earlier, and she kissed him back, she actually enjoyed it.
Back on Wundagore, the Creator exclaims that there are two things in his possession that Exodus covets. He reveals that the first is this very tower, where the hidden mysteries of science and sorcery are revealed as one. Stepping out of the shadows, the High Evolutionary reveals himself, and holds in his arms a young girl, exclaiming that she is the second thing Exodus wants, for she is Luna Maximoff, daughter of the mutant speedster Quicksilver and his Inhuman wife, Crystal.
The High Evolutionary holds a small hologram of Quicksilver in his other hand as he exclaims that Luna is also the grandchild to the self-proclaimed “Master of Magnetism”, Exodus’ former lord, Magneto. The High Evolutionary explains that he has sworn to protect Luna while Quicksilver mourns the tragic passing of Crystal. The High Evolutionary declares that although Exodus may be man, mutant or even God, ‘I, the High Evolutionary, shall never forfeit her!’.
Colossus remarks that the High Evolutionary must not realize how ruthless a fanatic Exodus can be, as he will stop at nothing to claim both this tower and Luna as his own. ‘You must let us stand with you!’ he exclaims. The High Evolutionary tells Colossus that his courage is admirable as it was last time they met, but that he has all the resources he requires to prevent Exodus from usurping what is rightfully his alone. Meggan asks the High Evolutionary if this means he is just going to toss them out of here because he is too proud to accept anyone’s help. ‘Precisely’ the High Evolutionary replies as he returns to his throne.
The powerful being then turns back to Colossus and Meggan and tells them that despite Exodus’ loyal followers, he is but a king without a castle, and no good monarch can remain one for long without proving his might. The High Evolutionary remarks that is why he has become a target, the ultimate proof of Exodus’ fitness to lead. ‘But I shall defeat him - alone’. Suddenly, an energy field surrounds Colossus and Meggan. Colossus urgently asks the High Evolutionary what he thinks he is doing, and Meggan tells him to stop, as he cannot do it alone. Without emotion, the High Evolutionary replies that he can, and will, because he has faith. He wishes Colossus and Meggan well on their journey, and announces that the path from which they were diverted, is the one which he shall return them to….
….and in an instant, Colossus and Meggan find themselves in Paris. ‘He did it!’ Colossus exclaims. ‘We’re finally in Paris!’ Meggan remarks that she wonders if they will ever know what is going to happen at Wundagore, to which Colossus replies that if Exodus is victorious, then they will certainly know. Meggan jokes that what they went on was some roller coaster ride, and smiling, asks Piotr if he is ready for the ones at Dudleyworld? Colossus just smiles and slaps his hand against his forehead.