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[Assistant]
From the Crucible – a Captain?
(narration)
Excalibur and their friends and allies on the “John Carter from Mars” world are engaged in a wild party.
(reality)
One member of the audience interrupts the hooded narrator to protest. That’s not where her story had ended before; something is missing. The narrator explains that she wants to set the stage for those who have come late. She briefly recounts how Excalibur had ended up on a parallel Earth that had fallen prey to an invader that was feeding on the primal lifeforce of people and planet. All seemed lost until Nightcrawler had an idea and threw Phoenix into the creature’s maw.
(narration)
Phoenix’s power tore the monster apart. While the heroes are recovering, Rachel angrily announces Kurt might at least have warned her. Kurt apologizes but there wasn’t enough time.
After the victory followed a celebration. It was as though some terrible miasma had been lifted from the land and people were in a celebratory mood. Alistaire Stuart, dressed above waist in his shirt, tie and jacket, dressed below in a barbarian loincloth, is doing a Scottish dance. The two Lockheeds are vying for Kitty’s affections, while Kymri is flirting with Captain Britain, much to Brian’s surprise and Meggan’s chagrin. Only Rachel stands alone, apart of the team, the reason for them coming together, but ever apart from it.
Meggan finally joins her outside on the flying fortress’ balcony, asking what she is doing. Ray replies that she is enjoying the silence. Meggan doesn’t understand; it’s a madhouse in there. Rachel explains that she is talking about a different kind of silence. Her telepathy hasn’t returned. She has never known such quiet. Meggan wonders if their powers shouldn’t have returned with the death of that disgusting creature. Rachel replies that taking that critter out apparently took all she had and she is in no hurry to get it back. She leaves in a skysled, explaining she needs some time alone. Meggan calls after her that if something happens to her they are stuck.
(present)
The narrator explains a bit more about Rachel and her importance. For starters, she calls herself Phoenix because she is the Phoenix. Members of the audience gasp.
(flashback to Rachel’s past)
Rachel’s mother is Jean Grey, the first human to bond with that ultimate primal force, only tragically to be overwhelmed by it and be transformed into Dark Phoenix. Rachel was from into a future era where mutants were outlawed and she herself forced to become a hound, using her telepathy to hunt them down. She managed to escape down the timestream.
In a desperate attempt to save Earth’s future by changing its past, she first contacted and later joined the premier team of mutant heroes, the X-Men. And after they were killed, to keep the dream alive, she banded together with other heroes to form Excalibur.
(Narration)
Rachel sees this planet as a place to start anew to give herself the chance to live as an ordinary girl.
(present)
Weeks later she is working in the service of an alternate middle-aged Jean Grey, who seems to be owner of a farm. One night, Jean more or less forces Rachel to get dressed up and join her at the Saturday night shindig. However, on their way there they find the village burned down by slavers. The slavers’ hounds attack and kill Jean before Rachel’s eyes. Seeing her “mother” die again causes Rachel to go into a fugue state.
She awakes on the slaver’s ship, the slaver being a purple, pot-bellied creature. The slaver draws Rachel closer, offering her a favored place among his hounds if she has the spirit. Rachel proves her spirit by kicking him in the stomach. The slaver sends the Hounds after her.
From outside, the other slavers are listening to the noise figuring the Captain is having some fun with his new toy. Moments later, the hounds are thrown out, followed by their unconscious master. Mad as hell, Rachel, brandishing two swords, asks who is the next to join them.
On the far side of the world, the Slavers’ high council is meeting. They are unhappy with the mood of liberty and justice that is sweeping across the land, even among their own. They blame Excalibur, who are planning to hold a great tourney to select a champion to defend the weak and stand up for their rights. One slaver named Nigel suggests dealing with them. They decide to put forth their own candidate and make sure he wins. One slaver reveals that has already taken the opportunity to infiltrate the tourney with an assassin.
Elsewhere, Excalibur has been busy. They have returned to their train and have planned for this to be the site of the great tourney. Of course, their grand scheme, which had seemed a much better idea during the party, to give the world a hero is not quite working out yet.
Kitty is putting up solar panels to get some electricity, all the while jealously watching Kymri, who is flirting with Alistaire. Nightcrawler is in his element flirting with the ladies, while an embarrassed Captain Britain admits to the crowd that he has no idea whether this is the proper thing to do. They are just sort of making things up as they go along. He feels like such a pompous twit, he exclaims to Meggan, who helpfully replies it’s what he does best. Britain turns back to the crowd, stating that they hope fate will sort of reach out and grab the lucky devil by the throat, same as she did with him. Failing that, may the best entity win.
The tourney opens with a test of strength. Lockheed (not Kitty’s dragon but the selectman of the democratic Dracic Confederacy) leads off the contestants. He hefts the biggest boulder with ease, but as he tosses it he stumbles as a frog jumped across his way. The crowd scatters, all but a masked woman dressed in a skimpy leather outfit. She raises her sword and cuts the rocks into two halves. Kymri congratulates her on her entrance and Lockheed suspiciously asks why she is masked. The mystery warrior who appears to have quite a chip on her shoulder announces that she wishes her life to remain private.
While nobody is comfortable with the stranger’s rationale, the tourney is open to everyone. That settled, the games begin in earnest. Tests of speed, feats of strength, martial arts, and “intellectual” challenges, some more ridiculous than the others, each game, every participant evaluated by the Excalibur quartet, with varying degrees of enthusiasm. Nightcrawler is immensely entertained, Meggan earnestly watches, Captain Britain clearly wishes he were anywhere but there and Kitty, while stroking Lockheed, is studying the mystery warrior, who, along with Kymri and Lockheed, is leading the contest. Kitty isn’t fooled. She knows those moves because they are hers. The stranger is Rachel and she learned them from watching Kitty. Question is, why is Rachel disguising herself and how long should she let her get away with it?
Nightfall brings another form of combat. Instead of feats of strength, it is who can drink whom into oblivion. And wherever the mood is most joyous, there you’d find Meggan.
Captain Britain admires a dancing Meggan and later tells her that she is magnificent. He has never seen her more lovely. Meggan explains that she is but a reflection of this world. All its beauty and passion and life, so long enchained desperately yearning for release through her. She passionately kisses him.
Inside her train, Kitty back in her costume again tries to figure out the mystery that is Widget. Why can’t she feed him with solar energy? Professor Stuart, dressed in a local loincloth and apparently embarrassed, asks if she has made any progress. Kymri insisted on his outfit, he explains. He observes that Widget seems to resonate to magic. The more intense the eldritch energy field, the more sensitive his systems become. But in a world like this, where there is none to speak of, he shuts down. Kitty agrees that he needs something more. Phoenix perhaps, Stuart suggests. He continues wanting to point out something about the fact that Rachel shouldn’t have lost her powers, seeing as how it seems to emanate from a celestial source but that moment Kymri playfully drags him outside. Kitty wishes him a nice time, though secretly she is still jealous.
Kitty’s thoughts turn to Rachel. Her powers should have returned at least. But do they have the right to ask her to become Phoenix again? Maybe the universe is better off without her?
Later at night, Alistaire and Kymri’s tryst is interrupted by a strange noise from outside. They investigate outside and come to Excalibur’s train to find a grief-struck Lockheed (the big one) cradling Kitty’s corpse. She, Nightcrawler and the other Lockheed are apparently dead, due to some weapon that caused cellular disruption.
Kymri orders the others to sound the alarm. They find two combatants waging it out at one of the fires next to what appears to be a dead Captain Britain. It’s a four-armed, red warrior and the mystery masked woman. The four-armed warrior claims that he was to late to save the Captain from the backstabbing witch, but would not let her escape.
Mad with grief, Lockheed intends to join him in battle and wildly attacks the woman, who protests that she is not the assassin. Lockheed doesn’t believe somebody who hides her face but Alistaire recognizes Rachel’s silhouette against the flames. He tells Lockheed to stop.
Meggan realizes the implications, but too late, as the real assassin stabs Alistaire in the back. He then grabs Meggan as a hostage and tells Kymri, Rachel and Lockheed to back off. They drop their weapons. He offers a trade but the heroes realize that he intends to kill Meggan anyway and presumably them as well. Kymri decides that she and Lockheed will divert him while Rachel takes him out. They attack and are both taken down by his guns, while Rachel tosses a sword right into his skull.
For all the good it does, she figures. All her friends, save Meggan, are dead. Megan protests, as she begins channeling the world’s life energy. She explains to Rachel that she can save them and that this life force lies in her, but it needs Phoenix’s celestial spark to set it alight. Rachel replies that some things may better be left alone. Can she live with the knowledge that she could save her friends and this world and denied them, Meggan asks. Rachel points out that she has no idea what the power of Phoenix can do. Meggan tells her that she is denying her responsibility and seeking solace in pretense. She must deal with her fears by confronting them. It is her choice. Rachel consider what to do…
(present)
The narrator stops over her audience’s protests. Time’s up, she explains. She has a train to catch. How did it end, they ask. The only way it could, happily ever after! the narrator shouts, and reveals herself as Kitty.
Rachel accepted Meggan’s challenge and used her power which she had possesses all along, subconsciously denying its use, to jump-start the energy of the world-spirit, releasing it back into both world and people, in the process healing all. Lockheed and Kymri jointly took over the mantle of champion and after another party Excalibur left, which brings them to the end. Kitty waves good-bye.
Nightcrawler remarks that this was hardly the end as they walk towards the train. But the end of that story and that’s all that mattered to the audience. Now they have to move on to find their world. Kurt compliments her on how she has grown up as they enter the train and join the others. Phoenix begins to power up Widget when Kitty shouts at her to stop. It is too late, as the teleportation begins, right after Kitty has seen that outside the train were Professor Xavier and the Starjammers.


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Provide a full summary of the comic book.

[Assistant]
The eye of the beholder
Outside Edinburgh on a hill stands a tourist couple. The woman, Cherilyn, is getting impatient. She doesn’t see why they call this place Arthur’s Seat. Her husband, Sonny, reminds her that he already explained. It doesn’t look like a seat to her, Cherilyn moans. Why was it so important to come here? To get some great shots of Edinburgh Castle, he replies. Couldn’t he just buy some postcards? she asks.
Suddenly, an earthquake occurs and Sonny drops his camera, causing Cherilynn to go on another rant. While he wishes for her to shut up, suddenly strange energy surrounds them and the both are trapped in stone cocoons. Between the cocoons, an energy gateway is created, as suddenly a blue-skinned white-haired being appears and announces that the Demon Druid lives again.
Back at Excalibur’s lighthouse, a crying Meggan changes her face to that of a monster. She must be ugly, she announces. It’s always the same, no matter how hard she tries, so why bother? Maybe she is some kind of monster. Her teammate, Nightcrawler, tries to comfort her, pointing out that she may be overreacting. Meggan goes into a fit of rage. She cries out that her lover, Brian Bradock, doesn’t even seem to know she is alive these days. Kurt tries to calm her. Meggan changes her shape again this time turning obese. Maybe Brian will like her better this way. Maybe this is what Courtney Ross will look like in a few years. She can save him the wait.
Kurt points out that her looks don’t matter. It’s what’s inside that counts. Becoming incredibly muscular and hairy, Meggan lashes out. So, he thinks she is ugly too? She asks to be left alone. Kurt runs after her, telling her Brian is a fool. He thinks she is beautiful. What does he know about beauty? she asks spitefully. He is nothing but a monster himself.
She regrets those words even, as she takes off and flies away and hopes he will forgive her. Kurt looks after her, desperately reminding himself that she was upset and didn’t mean it.
In London, Brian Braddock is indeed on a date with Courtney Ross (or the woman whom he believes to be Courtney), kissing her on her doorstep. Courtney suggests going inside. Brian isn’t sure this is a good idea. Courtney notices he is troubled and suggest talking about it. He mentions that he had an argument with Meggan. Looking at the sky, Courtney sees Meggan’s flight trail, but chooses not to let Brian know. Instead, she again urges him to come inside. Meggan sees this and not able to stand it anymore flies away, while Courtney lures Brian inside her flat. She asks him to entertain himself for a moment while she’ll put on the tea.
Meggan flies away as far as possible, ending up outside Edinburgh, all the while wondering what Brian sees in Courtney. She senses something evil in her. Suddenly, she stops. Startled, she sees the newly formed glowing stone circle similar to Stonehenge. There shouldn’t be anything like it in Edinburgh. She sees the blue-skinned man standing in the center. Telling herself that she is a monster, she transforms into a Godzilla-like creature.
As she lands, Demon Druid figures that she will make a better power source than the couple, perhaps enabling him to achieve what he has so long desired. Calling him crazy, Meggan emits a burst of fire at him. And she is quite an excitable being, he retorts. He values these attributes. He gestures and energy swirls around him. Therefore, she shall become subject to his will.
Back in London, “Courtney” has slipped into something more ”comfortable” in her bedroom, while the news is on the TV. On the news, she witnesses the battle between the transformed Meggan and the Demon Druid. She figures she doesn’t need to tell Brian about this and turns the TV off.
Elsewhere in Edinburgh, Kitty and Rachel are all dolled up for the special night they have planned. They have reached their destination, a nightclub called “the Witchery by the Castle,” a hot spot or so Rachel heard from a freak writer. The girls are in for a surprise. It is just a smelly old pub done up with some tacky black magic symbols. Ticked off, Rachel drags Kitty away. Suddenly, they see a glow from above and wonder if the nuclear power plant went up. Rachel transforms their outfits into their uniforms and they fly off to investigate.
Elsewhere, Demon Druid senses the power of Phoenix and tells Meggan that he senses greater power than hers. Rejected again, Meggan absurdly thinks to herself and asks if he draws his power from that witch Courtney. Does he sense a witch? Demon Druid wonders and then decides that is not the case. There is a source of replenishment with a dream that originates far beyond the cosmos. Perhaps it is the power the druids have always worshipped.
Meggan finally gives in to his power, transforms back to her true self and is captured in a stone like the two people before her, her essence meant to feed him.
Seeing what has transpired, Kitty attacks him. As she tries to phase through Demon Druid, their powers interact painfully and suddenly the Druid as well as his stone circle are gone, with his prisoners freed. Kitty wonders what has happened to her, but tells Rachel that she is ok.
Later back at the lighthouse Meggan profusely apologizes to Nightcrawler. He tells her it is OK, and she confides that she doesn’t deserve a friend like him. She doesn’t deserve a problem like Brian, he thinks grimly.
Kitty, in the meantime, is fidgeting with gadgets observed by Lockheed, Widget and the curious Rachel Kitty admits that she herself is not sure what she is doing. It has something to do with what happened at Arthur’s Seat. She cannot explain it. She really needs Brian to help her with a few technical questions though.
Speak of the devil, Rachel jokes as Brian enters. Takes one to know one, he retorts humorlessly. Kitty at once asks for his help while Meggan flies into his arms, much to Kurt’s chagrin.
Brain tells everybody to keep their minds on the business at hand and demands a moment for himself. He slams the door as he leaves the room. How rude, Kitty comments. Even for Brian, Kurt adds, while Meggan just cries. Kurt is back to comforting her while Kitty returns to work. Kurt informs Meggan that the problem lies within Brian, not her. Back in her workshop Kitty keeps on working, absurdly thinking that they can’t let him down.
Meggan tosses and turns in bed, thinking that Brian has all the time in the world for Courtney and none for her. Kurt can’t sleep either for being unable to help either Kitty or Meggan.
Morning, Kitty has fallen asleep in her workshop, until Captain Britain in a better mood gently shakes her awake. She figures that she has failed until Brian informs her that based on her preliminary efforts he was able to finish her work. Kitty congratulates both of them and Meggan tells them to be quiet. She is trying to watch TV.
On the news, the Demon Druid is seen having taken over Darkmoor research facility.
Instead of the facility’s two cooling towers, there are now several energy facsimiles the Druid is standing on, in a configuration resembling that of Stonehenge. Authorities are trying to establish some connections between the event and what happened outside Edinburgh the day before.
Captain Britain understands. Demon Druid tried it once but couldn’t achieve the power. Now he is using the same construction - a nuclear facsimile of Stonehenge positioned over one of the most significant focal points of arcane energies in the entire world. They are not ready, Kitty complains. Brian curtly tells her to get ready. He will be waiting for the rest o them. With that he flies off while Kitty tries to finish their work.
To catch up, Nightcrawler decides to teleport them all to Darkmoor – despite the risk to his health that poses – assisted by Phoenix’s power. With that, they are off and arrive at Darknoor. While the winded Nightcrawler stays back Kitty runs forward with Widget connected to the device she and Captain Britain constructed. Demon Druid stands atop the energy stones announcing that he is being revitalized by the power surging through him.
Kitty, in the meantime, attaches Widget to the building, intending for him to create a breach in the interdimensional barrier to enable her device to send the Druid away.
Suddenly, though, Captain Britain flies in intending to attack the Druid despite the shouts of protest of his teammates. Rachel tells Meggan to stay with Nightcrawler. She will take care of their “noble leader.”
Before Captain Britain reaches the Druid the Phoenix effect appears before him and an angry Rachel asks if he has even considered the repercussions his actions could have in these surroundings. What’s wrong with him?
Kitty informs Rachel that she is ready to start via psilink, while Rachel is to take care of Brian. Captain Britain is hurt in his pride and doesn’t intend to be stopped by a child. Rachel finally lashes out and telepathically knocks him out. Then she psi-links Kitty and the Demon Druid. Kitty explains that she knows he means no harm: The portal they have created for him will allow him to return to his people. Once he passes through, the power he has amassed will allow him to do the rest. The Demon Druid thanks her and leaves.
Shortly thereafter, everything returns to normal and Meggan and Kitty read Captain Britain the riot act for his behavior.


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[Assistant]
Crusader X
Another dimension. That world’s version of Brian Braddock, Crusader X soars over London, enjoying the early morning and his role as the Empire’s foremost superhero. He is keenly aware of the irony that many of the people who cheer his exploits as champion of the realm wouldn’t be seen dead with him in his civilian identity, even though he is heir to one of the proudest, most honoured names in England.
Suddenly, Crusader X hears the noise of military helicopters flying to Euston Square. Troopers hit the ground and the Crusader recognizes their shoulder flashes – WHO, the Weird Happenings Organization. Already on scene are WHO’s commander, Brigadier Alistaire Stuart, its chief scientific advisor, his twin sister, Alysande, and their police liaison, C.I.D. commander Dai Thomas. What has roused them so early that morning is the inexplicable arrival of a train, powered by a dragon. WHO has already sealed off the station.
They are joined by Crusader X, causing Thomas to make some disparaging remarks. Brigadier Stuart points out that actually he intended to summon Crusader X anyway, causing Thomas to go on a rant as to why even bother having a police. Stuart apologizes to the Crusader, while Thomas states that he is simply speaking his mind. He’s not the enemy, Crusader defends himself as they turn to the train. No, in many ways he is worse, Thomas bluntly states. Alysande addresses Crusader X, remarking that Thomas still cannot forget that his wife was killed in a superhero battle. Crusader knows that.
As they enter the train, they see sheer chaos and Crusader caustically commends Thomas for a most thorough search. Not amused, Thomas explains that his people found it that way. Nobody aboard but clear evidence of passengers. A soldier has examined the train and reports that this car consists mainly of sleeping berths, bigger than the BritRail standard. Impossible to be smaller, Thomas quips.
The soldier continues by describing one of the rooms which has a really wild collection of outfits, the size of a teenage girl. In addition, there are some posters relating to a place she has never heard of in the Americas called “Chicago.” Hardly the sort of threat to warrant this full-scale report, Crusader X remarks. Thomas proves him wrong as he shows him a picture of Nightcrawler and identifies him one of Imperial Prussia’s top agents. Does the Crusader think that his presence on the eve of the Queen’ convening a summit of the great powers is coincidence?
Crusader agrees that Thomas is right. There is reason to be worried. He begins to glow, as he uses an aspect of his powers, sensing the residual aura left behind by Nightcrawler. He is capable of tracing it to its source. Like a bloodhound following a scent, Thomas observes unkindly. Except that, unlike dogs, he cannot be thrown off the trail, Crusader retorts.
Earth 616, Brian Braddock’s London townhouse, where Kitty Pryde awakes from what she believes is a wild dream. She can’t wait to tell the others until she gets a good look at her surroundings and remembers how she was separated from the others and is now trapped on Earth.
That moment, Courtney Ross enters with a tray of tea and wishing Kitty good morning. When Kitty asks if this isn’t Brian’s house, Courtney blushes and explains that Brian gave her a key, back when they were… She muses that she hadn’t thought of Brian for ages until he walked into her office weeks ago and bang, all the old feelings are back. Kitty tries to take the teacup but phases through it. Frustrated, she throws a temper tantrum. She is so sick of intangibility being her natural state! As she flails about she turns solid and inadvertently tosses the tray from the bed with the tea spilling on Courtney.
A little later Courtney is dressed in a dressing gown, as they are putting her clothes into the washing machine. Kitty apologizes profusely before explaining that her permanent intangible state is driving her crazy sometimes. Courtney remarks that Brian told her that Kitty nearly died from the wounds that created that condition. And Kitty is recovering, albeit slowly. One day she will be normal again. Isn’t that goal worth the… inconvenience?
Kitty muses that, to bring about her recovery, the X-Men were willing to sell their souls to one of the most evil men on Earth. And afterwards, when everything was going to be all right, they still died. She couldn’t be with them when it mattered the most. She begins to cry when stating that Excalibur was her second chance, but now they are gone too. She doesn’t know if she will ever see them again. Over and over, she reaches out to people she loves, but can’t hold on, like she is really a ghost.
Courtney takes hold of her shoulders, suggesting she still has her family. Her parents are in the federal witness protection program, Kitty explains. She isn’t allowed to see them, only write letters. If she goes back to them, she joins the program too. She loves her superhero life too much to give it up. Plus, she is afraid, if she goes to them, she will somehow destroy them too. Leaning into Courtney’s hug, she tells the woman that everyone is gone as if she has some terrible curse. Courtney comforts her and promises that, as long as she is with her, Kitty will never be alone.
Crusader X’s world:
Outside London stands Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters, headquarters of the British Secret Service and its elite operatives, the X-Men. Jean Grey drives onto the mansion grounds when, suddenly, she feels something odd. She stops her car and jumps out. The next moment, she feel she has gone insane.
(Jean’s hallucination)
The house has changed. There are torches instead of electric light and a coach instead of her sports car. She is expected by a man, Jason Wyngardre, who has been haunting her dreams so she can no longer tell which is fantasy and which waking reality. Wyngarde takes away Jean’s cloak, revealing her dressed in a corsage and fishnets, as he proclaims her the Hellfire Club’s Shadow Queen. No! a voice suddenly proclaims forcefully as the Phoenix effect reaches for Jean.
(Reality)
Jean is herself again. She muses that that bird of fire seemed so familiar, like a part of her… just like the Shadow Queen. Then she notices that her outfit has changed to a skin-tight, red leather suit.
Elsewhere, Rachel Summers moans, not again, as the Phoenix effect fades.  Her clothes have changed, mirroring Jean’s outfit. Her friends wonder what is going on. Rachel asks them to stop fussing. Her power is taking care of her. Captain Britain bluntly suggests she take a good long look at herself, because it’s not doing its proper job. Alistaire Stuart demands to know why she cried out and she explains that this dimension’s analogue of Jean Grey telepathically cried for help. She was in deadly danger. From whom? Nightcrawler asks concerned. Who else, where Jean Grey is concerned? asks Rachel. Mastermind and the Hellfire Club.
The London branch of the Hellfire Club, the rulers of the secret cabal are ruled by someone else – the Shadow King. He tsks as one of his pets, Emma Frost, has lost her life due to their attempt of seducing Jean Grey. Displeased, he turns to Mastermind. This was hardly the scenario he guaranteed. Emma’s telepathy gave him unrestricted access to Jean’s mind. Mastermind agrees that Jean’s corruption was within his grasp. Something intruded. There was a psychic backlash. He did his best, he babbles. His master rewards him with one minute of ultimate agony in silence.
Tony Stark, dressed in his Iron Man suit, inquires what the Shadow King is doing to Wyngarde. Nothing, the other man replies. Jason creates his own illusions and creates far better torment than he could. Of course, he monitors the event… out of curiosity. When he has recovered, they will begin again. This time, without mistakes. Considering what he is paying, there’d better not be, Stark states bluntly.
The Shadow King is bothered by Stark’s lack of faith. And by the fact that his psychic powers are limited against his technology, Stark spells out. What if Jean turns to Xavier for help? he asks. Is he ready to go up against him?
Drawing his other pet, Selene, to him, the King announces that he and Xavier will have their final accounting at the proper time and place. In the meantime, it will suffice for him to destroy his favourite student. That is why he chooses to help Stark. Jean will provide the key that will allow him to smash the world summit and strike a fearsome blow for American independence A pity that some of Stark’s fellow Sons of Liberty don’t seem to share his initiative.
Stark agrees, while his eye roams over the features of some of the Hellfire Club’s more attractive slaves. If Captain America knew what he was planning… But a Stark signed the Declaration of Independence and paid for it at the end of one of King George’s ropes. He died in good company – Franklin, Adams, Hancock, Jefferson… It’s time they were avenged. The King offers the company of his slaves to Stark. A most fitting supper for the condemned, he silently adds.
Earth 616, London, Hyde Park at night. From a limousine exits local crime boss, Vixen, and two of her men, Vivian and Vincent. Her men are worried, despite the many troopers they have assigned to guard the Vixen.
At a carousel, they meet Nigel Frobisher, who expresses delight at Vixen’s acceptation of his invitation. She always makes a point of hearing “offers she can’t refuse” Vixen states, and then dealing with them accordingly. That’s how you get to be top dog of the London underworld and stay there. Interesting turn of phrase, states Jamie Braddock (still only dressed in a speedo and clearly out of his mind) as he joins them.
Frobisher introduces him as his slightly eccentric colleague before announcing that this is a changing of the guard. Figuring that Frobisher wants her place Vixen orders Vivian and Vincent to shoot him. They men try to do so, but Jamie pulls at the cosmic strings that only he perceives and causes Nigel to turn into a giant puffball. The bullets pass through him harmlessly. Their weapons turn into bird cages and Jamie gleefully announces that he froze their army in the woods. The cages grow and engulf Vivian and Vincent while Vixen tries to run away.
Jamie pulls her strings and turns her into a real fox. He always wanted a pet. Shame this is all a dream, he muses. Nigel taps him on the shoulder remarking they needed Vixen alive… and human. Who’s to run her gang now? With a grin Jamie turns towards Nigel who realizes this was not a good idea.
A little later, Jamie and “Vixen,” followed by Vivian and Vincent, return to Vixen’s limousine. Inside the limo, Nigel transforms back into himself and moans how can women wear these high heels. Jamie kindly offers to fix his feet so that he will love them. Nigel politely declines Disappointed Jamie asks what the point of stooging around the playground of life is if not to play with the toys. People aren’t toys, Nigel protests weakly. It’s his dream, Jamie insists stubbornly. He’ll make them whatever he pleases.
Exasperated, Nigel stops trying to talk sense into him. In a moment of rare lucidity, Jamie explains that, whenever he needs to be Nigel, he is and if he needs to be Vixen, presto. What could be simpler? Nigel isn’t convinced. With a grin Jamie strokes his new pet fox and assures Nigel that there are worse fates.
Back on Crusader X’s world, on the grounds of the Xavier estate, a laughing Jean Grey fends off Wolfsbane’s attempt to play with her. As she pets the werewolf, Jean, at the same time, telekinetically fends off a sneak attack by Cannonball, without even looking. Rahne laughs at her classmate. They are joined by their teacher, Banshee, who tells Sam he is obliged to clean up the mess he made on the lawn. The three of them watch Jean enter the mansion. Rahne comments how happy she seems and wonders if she has a new boyfriend. Banshee muses that it must be a special man to make her change her look so dramatically.
Jean’s been troubled lately, due to her break-up with Cyclops, but nobody wanted to pry. As she intends to enter Xavier’s and Moira MacTaggert’s office, she suddenly falls prey to another hallucination, where she is once more the Shadow Queen and has slain Xavier and Moira in the name of her master.
At the London docks, Rachel tells Nightcrawler that they are after Jean. They are inside her mind, making her believe she has slaughtered Xavier and Moira and that she loved it. Her Mom’s right on the edge.
Nightcrawler interrupts, pointing out this is another Jean Grey, but not Rachel’s mother. Rachel doesn’t see a difference. Kurt reminds her that this isn’t their world. If Rachel gets involved and something goes wrong, they have no hope of returning home. Rachel doesn’t argue the point but retorts that they are supposed to be heroes. When an innocent life is threatened, how can they not get involved?
Suddenly, she yells at her teammate to duck, as a form approaches. Rachel telekinetically fends off Crusader X’s attack and the local hero lands in the Thames. She telekinetically raises him and keeps him imprisoned.
A country lane outbound from Xavier, where Jean drives away, fleeing from the Shadow King. The way she perceives the world, though, she is still the Shadow Queen riding a horse, the Shadow King on his monster and with his army following and gaining ground. She hopes for the Phoenix to save her again but, even as she calls out, the Shadow King pierces through her head with his claw and triumphantly announces that she is now his, body and soul forever.
At the Thames. Rachel cries out for her mother and flies away, the momentary battle forgotten.
While Kurt wonders what happened, Crusader X attacks. Considering his fighting style is similar to Captain Britain’s, Nightcrawler successfully evades him for some time, but eventually the stronger hero catches him and knocks him out and flies away with him to the police.
A little later, Captain Britain, Meggan and Alistaire land at the docks only to find evidence of a fight. Meggan morphs into a catlike being and catches three scents: Rachel’s Kurt’s and one very much like Captain Britain’s. She announces that the other Captain and Kurt left together, Rachel left earlier alone in another direction. Brian asks her if she can follow Kurt’s trail and Meggan says she can. When Alistaire inquires about Phoenix Megan coolly remarks that she ran out on her teammate. Let her take care of herself.
On a country lane, beside Jean’s crashed car, Rachel cradles the injured Jean, telling her she will be all right. She’ll add her power to Jean’s and will save her. Jean weakly replies it is too late. Whatever the King did to her is eating away at her. She has lost too much already. The moment Rachel ends the link, Jean will belong to him. Plus, the link is endangering Rachel as well. She prefers a quick clean death.
Calling her ‘mom,’ Rachel begs her to stay. Jean weakly tells her she is not her mom, though she wishes she was. Suddenly, her body language changes as, with an evil grin, she asks Rachel to give her a chance and maybe they will both get their wishes. Rachel realizes this is no longer the real Jean and lets her die.
Moments later, the Phoenix engulfs her, as Rachel swears that it won’t end here She vows revenge to the Lords of the Hellfire Club for having done this.


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Provide a full summary of the comic book.

[Assistant]
Here Comes the Judge
The members of Excalibur glumly sit in their train, unaware of being watched. They are desperate. Their situation was grim enough before, being bounced from parallel reality to another with little chance of ever finding their home, but now they have lost their teammate Kitty Pryde – possibly forever.
The woman who is watching them in her scrying pool, an alternate Illyana Raputin dressed in Dr. Strange’s costume, remarks that Hades itself couldn’t provide a more vicious torment. Coming from Illyana, that’s quite an acknowledgement, her partner observes. Barring a miracle, they’ll never know what happened to Kitty, she remarks, stepping into the light. How happy will they be then to see her, Illyana replies to her friend, an alternate Shadowcat.
That moment, a man enters excitedly. Calling Kitty “boss,” he informs her of a Justicers’ raid. It’s Justicer Bull! Kitty orders him to delay them and tells Magik to go to work. Annoyed by her tone, Illyana creates a simulacrum of Kitty and sends it on its way to bring Excalibur to them.
Crosstime in Excalibur’s train. Professor Stuart has reached the end of his patience, as he accosts the mysterious Widget, wondering what makes it work. Widget reacts by giving the scientist an electric jolt. Phoenix uses her telekinesis to rein Widget in, while the others help the stunned Alistaire. Rachel reads Widget the riot act, reminding him that they all miss Kitty, but that’s no reason for any of them – and that includes professor Stuart – to behave like such a brat. That moment, the Kitty simulacrum appears before hem and Widget automatically  forces them to teleport after it.
The Justicers’ world, a place where urban development totally got out of hand. Doug Ramsey, attorney-at-law, protests against the Justifiers trying to raid Kitty’s building. Justicer Bull is unimpressed and informs Doug he should have stayed dead. It was a legal resurrection, Doug defends himself. Unlike this search. Bull warns him that his boss may live in the highest tower in the land, but she is about to learn the hard way that nobody is above the law. They have irrefutable proof linking every major criminal enterprise n the realm right to her doorstep.
That very moment, there is a flash and Excalibur’s train smashes in through the huge windows. Phoenix desperately tries to brake the train, but after a jump she only has a fraction of her ordinary telekinetic strength. Nevertheless, it is enough. The train may stick out at both ends of the tower room, but it has stopped - barely.
Bull orders one of her men, Cadbury, to log multiple violations of statues: operating an illegal flying vehicle, operating a railway vehicle in restricted airspace, reckless endangerment…
While the Justifiers are busy, Kitty, who was almost run over, tries to drag herself up from the ground, until somebody shoves her out of the window. Captain Britain hears her scream and recognizing her as Kitty, immediately dives after her, ignoring the Justifiers’ order to stop. As a result, he is hit by a stun-gun.
Meggan flies after her falling lover and Kitty, but once outside the building she finds the air is so foul that her skin burns. She too tumbles down helplessly.
Inside, Nightcrawler has yet to recover from the strain of the jaunt. He is dragged to his feet by Justifier Cadbury. Both men are in for a shock, though, as they find that – apart from the fact that Cadbury is normal – they look totally alike. Kurt uses the other man’s shock to disarm him with his tail. A battle begins, which Nightcrawler is about to win, when Bull shoots him in the back.
She orders the other Justifiers to arrest Rachel and Alistaire as well, when Illyana intervenes and gloatingly informs them that the search and seizure are illegal. Their warrant specifically mentions Kitty. With her gone, outside of the obvious mutant Nightcrawler, they have no authority to arrest anyone. Bull is seething, being stopped on a technicality…. Cabury talks sense to her though and they leave. Illyana smirks when Alistaire thanks her. She’ll think of some way for them to repay her…
Meanwhile, Captain Britain and this world’s Kitty are still falling. Brian finds he can’t focus enough to brake their descent and the ground is coming up. He silently apologizes for failing Kitty and prays that dying won’t hurt so much this time. He hopes that this time death will last. Surprisingly, though, the ground isn’t solid at all, but that black mess is actually the ocean, consisting mostly of liquid toxic waste. Seeing monstrous creatures and plants, Brian wonders how big this world’s equivalent of London is.
They have barely reached the surface again when he sees a burning Meggan tumbling down as well. Her fall sets the surface ablaze. Brian swims straight through the flames to grab her and then looks for a safe stop above ground. Her red skin showing boils, Meggan weakly announces that the whole world is poison. Captain Britain realizes that Meggan’s affinity to the biosphere has made her more vulnerable to all of this. He knows that both women need help, but has no idea who to turn to. And, in the meantime, monstrous scavengers are coming closer…
The Old Bailey, the central criminal court where Kurt Wagner is judged by the Lord High Chief Justicer and his Chief Examining Magistrate, both of them remaining in shadows. Kurt protests – he has done nothing wrong! How can he be expected to know their laws as a stranger?
Bull just adds violation of immigration states to the list of his crimes and remarks that ignorance is no excuse. He a can leave once he has served his sentence. He hasn’t even been found guilty yet, Kurt protests and he is already condemned.
Bull informs him that his very existence is a violation of the law. A guilty verdict is a mere formality. After genetics modification to reconfigure him in conformity with established physiognomical norms and a term in punitive stasis, he’ll be returned to society to resume his life.
As Kurt is being dragged away, he shouts that his life has nothing to do with their society. He demands an appeal to the highest authority. Denied, Bull decides. He was fairly arrested, fairly tried, fairly condemned. What could be more… just?
Could be worse, Cadbury “comforts” Kurt, as he kicks him into a holding cell, if he had been found to have superpowers. Well, that makes him feel better, Kurt states sarcastically as he gets a look at his surroundings, a cell filled with lots of misfits. One of them informs him not to get comfortable. The transfer shuttle lifts within the hour.
He notices that from a comes a cry for help and he attacks the men who are bothering a woman, a woman he recognizes as a feral version of Meggan, this world’s version who never had a chance to come into the full potential of her powers.
Back down below Captain Britain is defending his Meggan and this world’s Kitty from the scavenging monster, wondering whether these are people sliding down the evolutionary scale or creatures climbing up. He’s giving his all but they keep on coming. It’s been ages since he was able to cut loose. He’d feel better though, if he weren’t losing!
Suddenly, Meggan cuts in, now sporting a powerful metallic/lizard body. She explains that her shape-changing power gave her the body she needed to survive here. Together, they manage to drive the scavengers off for some time.
Kitty, in the meantime, is dying. Furiously, she tells them that Illyana sold her out and asks them to make her pay. Brian holds her dying form. When he looks up, Meggan is gone.
Back in Kitty’s tower Alistaire has made a makeshift bed for the ailing Rachel and examines her. She’s not well, he states, causing her to feebly joke that he must be a scientist to know these kinds of things. He tells her that she needs proper rest. Even she doesn’t have unlimited strength reserves and she is burning herself up. Yet, without her to provide Widget the power to make his jaunts they don’t get home.
As Rachel falls asleep, Illyana suggest they stay. She can make it worth Alistaire’s while. Displaying her Darkchilde form, she announces that she knows he has the hots for Rachel. She brings him to his knees as her outfit changes to Rachel’s spiked leather costume. She promises him Rachel, if he helps her use Rachel’s power along with his scientific knowledge to make Illyana absolute mistress of this reality and any other she might fancy. Deal?
In the meantime, Nightcrawler and the other misfits all chained together are to be led into a sky-car. Kurt addresses Justicer Cadbury, reminding the man about he said about Kurt not having superpowers. Guess what? Kurt teleports out of his chains and takes out Cadbury. Using the man’s gun, he breaks Meggan and the others free. He takes the hesitating Meggan to a Justicer airsled. This is madness, she complains. Giving her a peck on the cheek, Kurt assures her that sometimes the world needs a little madness.
He is unaware of the fact that a Justicer is about to fire at him. However, as he does, Meggan throws herself between him and the lethal shot. Nightcawler starts the airsled, promising he will get her a doctor. Meg explains that none will take her since she is an outcast and there is no healing for a “ripper” shell anyway. Guaranteed kill every hit. Heartbroken Kurt apologizes, but the girl snuggles up to him. She’d rather die fighting and free than live forever in a cage. He showed her that. Suddenly, she marvels aloud, as her body begins to change turning into the beautiful girl Nightcrawler knows from his reality. With a smile on her lips, she passes away.
Meanwhile back at Kitty’s tower Alistaire refuses to be part of Illyana’s machinations, much to her amusement, She is a demon sorceress, he is just a guy whose love for Phoenix is his undoing. It gives Illyana a clear run straight to his soul. She remarks that, with some minor alterations, he’ll only be too eager to do all he can to help. A wobbly Rachel gets up, announcing Illyana should pick on someone her own size. Hate to disillusion you, red, Ilylana retorts wryly,  but you ain’t it. She uses black magic to easily ward off Rachel’s telekinetic attack and entangles her in ebony tentacles, adding that strung-out and frayed as Rachel is, she doesn’t even come close!
Suddenly, a Justicer’s aircar breaks through the glass dome into the building. As Illyana still complains about this being illegal, Nightcrawler attempts to jump her from behind. Unfortunately, the sorceress doesn’t fall for the diversion and entangles him with crimson magical ties.
However, through the hole in the wall she sees more Justicer aircars approaching, one of them being flown by Bull. Hot pursuit of a felon is cause enough to enter a dwelling. With that in mind Illyana cover her prisoners in magical shadow and returns to her human self.
Illyana informs Bull and Cadbury that the car crashed through the wall, but kept on going. If that fugitive were here, she’d turn him over immediately.
Suddenly someone behind her shouts “liar!” Illyana turns astonished to see Kitty Pryde pointing an accusing finger at her. “Kitty” announces that Nightcrawler is there and that Illyana won’t succeed in enslaving him or Phoenix or Professor Stuart any more than she did in murdering her, so she could gain control of her empire.
Firing a magical blast at her, Illyana screams that she built that empire and Kitty hogged all the credit. Cadbury and Bull draw their weapons, pointing them at Illyana and firing, hitting the girl. With an evil grin she turns around, asking if this means they aren’t pals anymore. With clawlike fingers, Illyana tears at her face, revealing the shape of a demon. Too bad for you the Darkchilde doesn’t die quite like everybody else. The Justicers keep on firing, but in vain.
Then they’ll just have to try harder, Captain Britain announces, as he flies in and hits the monster in the back. Surprised, Bull addresses him as the Lord High Justicer, but recognizes the uniform a moment later. That’s the superbeing she shot when he tried to escape! Looking outside, Cadbury remarks that there is good news and… less good. They have reinforcements - the Lord High Justifier and his sister, the Chief Examining Magistrate… only he’s flying too!
The Lord High Justicer is revealed to be the spitting image of Captain Britain, just as his sister is of the X-Man Psylocke.
Still struggling with the Darkchilde Cap is knocked for a loop by the fact that his doppelganger is in charge of this Gestapo, not that he’s in any position to be choosy about help.
While the two Brian Braddocks battle the demon physically, Elizabeth Baddock reveals her powers as well. She realizes that she is no match for the Darkchilde, but her psionic abilities can restore the strength of Phoenix, who is. Revitalized, Rachel faces the Darkchilde. Getting closer, she remarks that she doesn’t know if Illyana was possessed or if this was a manifestation of a part of her turned bad, but now that power’s gone for good. Illyana is turden human again.
Cap thanks his doppelganger for the help. The Chief Justicer graciously remarks he only did what had to be done. As must she, Bull announces, as she trains her weapon on her superior and announces that they are all under arrest.
Annoyed, Captain Britain points out that, if the Lord High Justicer and his sister hadn’t revealed their true natures, Bull would be dead and this world under the Darkchilde’s dominion. Bull retorts that he was merely fulfilling the obligation of one Justicer to another. And she is beholden to the law, which he has betrayed.
Alistaire chimes in: it’s illegal to be a superbeing, correct? What exactly constitutes one? Bull rattles off the last: a skintight costume, marked with an identifying logo, that showcases and enhances the subject’s inhumanly spectacular physique, a mask that hides the facial features and is intended to intimidate any foes and of course parahuman physical or mental abilities. With a smirk Alistaire concludes that this description also covers the Justicers.
Were that the case they’d have no choice but to arrest themselves, Bull protests. Brilliant solution, Kurt points out wryly. How did such a silly law get enacted in the first place?
The Lord High Justicer begins to explain that this world was almost destroyed by war between its superbeings. He was one of the few survivors, but for all his abilities he wasn’t enough to deal with the others. So he created a force of specially chosen and trained operatives to bring them to justice. And it worked too well, because now for the good of the state the innocent find themselves condemned simply for existing.
Bull muses that the law is absolute, but not immutable. Perhaps it is time for a change. But that in no way absolves the strangers from their crimes. Nightcrawler tells her to stretch a point then. Give them a chance, they’ll be on their way for good and she’ll never see them again.
With a smile Bull informs them that she has a lot of paperwork to catch up on which should keep her busy until about sundown. After that, if she sees hide or hair of them, they are hers.


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[Assistant]
Guess Who’s Coming for Phoenix?
Only minutes ago, Excalibur returned home to their lighthouse on the west coast of Britain after their odyssey through alternate realities. All they want is some rest. What they get instead is the world-devourer Galactus, standing over their lighthouse.
His herald Nova joins them, chirpily announcing that Galactus has concluded that Phoenix’s continued existence is a threat to his own survival and he can’t accept that. It would really be best for all concerned if they just handed her over. With a threatening smile, Rachel asks if Nova is kidding. The other woman tells her she is quite serious and there’s no point fighting really. There is nothing Rachel can do to prevent this. Wanna bet? Rachel asks ominously, before slugging Nova with all her might.
Within a human heartbeat, Nova is out of Earth’s atmosphere still accelerating, finally landing on the moon. Nova is rather surprised, both at being hit so hard and at surviving this. Does she have so little faith in the handiwork of him who made her? inquires the Watcher. Is he going to interfere like he did when Galactus first encountered the Fantastic Four? Nova inquires slyly. Those days are done, he replies. His charge is but to observe. Music to her ears, Nova announces cheerfully as she flies off and promises him a show. Of that he has no doubt, the Watcher responds wryly.
Back on Earth, Galactus gets his machinery ready as he announces that striking his herald will do Excalibur as little good as it did Nova harm. His will shall not be thwarted.  He explains that he will use this instrument to liberate the essence of the Phoenix of the physicality of its fleshy encasement and return it to the cosmos whence it came and where it rightfully belongs.
And what happens to Rachel in the process? Nightcrawler asks, agitated, demanding to know by what right Galactus does this. In sympathy, Meggan shifts her shape to look like him. Less sympathetic, Galactus retorts that he does not answer to lesser beings, nor brook the slightest interference. They should heed this warning or he will not be responsible for the consequences to them or their world.
Rachel smiles apologetically at the rest of the team, while they decide what to do with their options. Captain Britain decides that the answer is obvious. The next moment, he attacks Galactus’ instrument. Galactus points at him and a green-yellow spotted creature appears to attack Cap. Cap tries to hit it, only to find its form is totally malleable allowing it to absorb the full force of every blow. Even worse, at every point of contact, they stick together.
While Nightcrawler sighs about Cap’s inability to grasp the concept of teamwork, Meggan is agitated about her lover being in danger and rushes in, attacking the creature from a distance with her energy blasts. She is successful, as the creature drops Cap and she rushes down to save him. She chides him to wait for Nightcrawler’s cue next time.
.
Alistaire Stuart urges Rachel to come inside the lighthouse with him. Misunderstanding his intentions, she asks whether he figures running away is going to make a difference. He tells her he has got an idea. At the same time, the Watcher manifests on the mainland. Nightcrawler wonders if he has come to help them as he once helped the Fantastic Four. Alistaire points out that they can’t wait to find out and that he has an idea. Phoenix flies him inside the lighthouse.
Enjoying the ride? she asks teasingly. Alistaire is totally smitten with her and she warns him what to think around a telepath. They arrive in the basement to find something that seems to resemble Wembley Stadium with a full crowd. Phoenix tells Alistaire to take a look at the band – animal versions of Excalibur with the exception of Phoenix. Something that strikes Rachel. In all the alternate dimensions they visited, there was no analogue for Rachel Summers, never another Phoenix.
This is what happened to Nightcrawler, before the team moved in, Alistaire recalls. The lights go out and the next moment they see the cavern the way it is supposed to be with their train. While Alistaire theorizes on the nature of this cross-dimensional event, Rachel gently reminds him of matters at hand. Alistaire runs into the train and looks for a certain device he got. While he looks through the train, he explains that he got into a discussion of trans-temporal relativity dynamics with some chap from Gallifrey… Now where is the thing? Rachel finally points out that the device – that looks suspiciously like a flashlight - is where he left it – in his pocket.
Meanwhile, Meggan, Nightcrawler and Captain Britain have their hands full with the next threat Galactus sent against them. So far, the world devourer hasn’t spared them the slightest attention and why should he? Nightcrawler wonders. To him, they are little better than vermin. He has those creatures to root them out.
Galactus, in the meantime, is restoring the device Captain Britain destroyed with a few gestures, musing how odd it is that these puny beings constantly refuse to accept their limitation, as well as their proper place in the cosmos. Perhaps that’s because they never found either, Captain Britain blusters… and the battle continues.
A flash of light on the mainland distracts Cap and the next moment he is hit by one of Galactus’ creatures. Jumping after him, Nightcrawler thinks to himself that the man has a knack for getting hit. He catches Cap at the last moment before he crashes to the ground and teleports them away to the mainland, where they see both the Watcher and the celestial guardian, Roma.
Ignoring Nightcrawler, Cap asks why she is there. Roma explains that certain events are of such significance they must be witnessed first hand. And no, she anticipates his question, she cannot aid them. She is as tightly bound by the skein of fate and duty, as he, her champion Captain, is. This is a moment in the scheme of things which must stand or fall on its own. Nothing like having a guardian angel who chooses to be of absolutely no use when she’s needed most, Nightcrawler sourly observes.
Phoenix returns, but shouts out when she sees another figure that has joined the Watcher and Roma. A seemingly harmless middle-aged handyman. She knows him, she announces. Through her mother, he agrees. They got to know each other pretty well, fairly soon after she became Phoenix. And, of course, right at the end, when she chose to give it up. Why is he there? she asks agitated. Who is he? Cap demands. The man changes shape as he announces that he always goes where he is needed: from a pale Goth girl clad in black to a hooded woman, to a robed skeleton to his previous shape. For one. For all.
Not for her friends, Rachel protests threateningly. Not today. Is she threatening him, he asks. She orders him to go back and leave them alone. He has brought enough grief to her and hers.
Alistaire interrupts her, warning her that Nova is returning. With a grin, Rachel remarks that she wondered what kept her, before telling Death that they aren’t done. As she flies away, he replies that, as long as a single star burns in the firmament, they are never done.
Rachel psi-links Excalibur, filling them in on Alistaire’s plan. Nova closes in with superspeed, determined to give Phoenix far better than she got. Rachel is waiting for her. At the last moment, she ensnares Nova with a telekinetic lasso, whirling her around to build up her speed and then firing her at Galactus. This time, Galactus actually falls and Alistaire follows it up by firing the odd device at him.
Captain Britain warns Alistaire that that’s a trans-temporal anomaly. Does he have the slightest notion what forces he is playing with? Alistaire explains that it’s meant to bounce Galactus to the ultimate reaches of time and space, as far from here and now as possible. Does he really think it’s that easy? Cap asks doubtfully.
Suddenly, Meggan screams in agony. Galactus stands restored, remarking that he is the Then, the Now and the Yet To Be. No mere mechanism is his equal, much less his better. He is unharmed, not so his herald. For that, they shall pay.
Meggan shouts out “no.” He started this; he is the one to blame. Drawing energy from the Earth, she grows in stature and in power, swearing he will harm the world no more. Phoenix flies up and shouts at her to stop. Her draining all that power means she is destroying the world she wants to save.
Rachel apologizes. Of all people, she should have known better. Meggan could drain the planet dry and would still be no match for Galactus. It’s only her life he wants. Best for her friends and her world, she give it to him, she explains to Meggan. She says good-bye to Cap with a handshake, to Kurt with a hug. She turns to Alistaire, who can’t think of anything witty to say. Rachel shushes him with a kiss, telling him she always knew how he felt about her. She’s sorry she could never return the same.
Better get this over with, she announces, before she changes her mind and decides it’s the big guy who should make the final exit. As Rachel allows herself to be strapped into the machine, Nova crows that she talks big, but that’s all. Phoenix is the one about to be discorporated. Because the cost of winning isn’t worth the fight, Rachel retorts. Nova should take a cue from her boss. She doesn’t hear him crowing. Maybe she should follow his example.
Galactus begins the process. Meggan buries herself in Brian’s arms, refusing to look, whereas Kurt stoically announces that one of them must bear witness. They owe Rachel that much at least. Nova suddenly shouts out in terror that the stars are going out. Roma finally talks, telling Galactus that this is his folly. Rachel is Phoenix, living embodiment of one of the primal forces. He can no more divide her spirit from flesh than he can life from death. There is a natural order to her being, as to his and all creation.
Galactus explains that his sustenance is living planets. The Phoenix can obliterate an entire cosmos. And from that death bring about new life, Death interrupts. But Galactus is changing that. Breaking the pattern. Is that his wish? the Watcher asks. To condemn the cosmos to ultimate extinction and himself to an eternity in a void, wherein exists not the smallest potential for life. Can even Galactus endure such desolation? Unless that’s what he wants, Death asks as he walks closer to Galactus. Perhaps his time has run its course. He has handed so many over to Death’s care, why not lay down his burdens and join them?
He is, Galactus replies, as he switches off his device. Supreme unto himself. He will not be bound by entity – or concept. His machinery disappears and Rachel is freed. He concedes to Phoenix that the day is hers, and with it an awareness of her role in the scheme of things, he suspects she would much rather have remained ignorant of. She has a destiny. He wishes her well of it.
Her friends greet her exuberantly. As the cosmic beings disappear, Death tells her to remember their little talk. Be seeing her. Not if she sees him first, Rachel shoots back with a crooked smile.
Elsewhere in Britain, unknown to Excalibur on a train racing through the night, their missing teammate Kitty Pryde sleeps away the trip to school. This isn’t where she wants to be.
(flashback)
After she learned at Courtney’s flat that she would have to attend school her, first reaction was a succinct Someone will die for this.
The man from the school board explains that while there is no question of her academic qualification to enter university their concern is over her socialization. He goes on to explain that Kitty spent the past few years in a private school, undergoing an education that was essentially a one-to-one tutorial. Which may leave her somewhat unprepared for the rough and tumble of university where such treatment is virtually non-existent. Students are expected to participate fully in all facets of university life. That’s a considerable adjustment in the normal course of events. In Kitty’s case, since she is significantly younger and a foreigner, they felt it best to err on the side of caution for Kitty’s own good.
Courtney agrees as she ushers Kitty outside. A term, possibly a year in a quality secondary school, will allow her to properly acclimate herself. Is he for real? Kitty demands. Courtney suggests she can always not go to school or university. Teach herself. She wants to go, Kitty admits. Then she has to do so on their terms, Courtney tells her, until such time as she can make her own. It won’t be that bad she tries to comfort her. St. Cyril is nowhere as stuffy as it sounds. After all, she went there. Didn’t do her any damage.
She hands her the tickets and tells her everything’s arranged. How awful can it be, Kitty tries to convince herself. School’s a school. She bets within a term tops she’s running the place.


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[Assistant]
‘twas a dark and stormy night
It’s a dark and stormy night as Brigadier Alysande Stuart makes her way to Excalibur’s lighthouse. Seeing the lights on, she figures she’s not as late for her brother Alistaire’s party as she thought. She muses that she can’t recall the last time someone threw her brother a party. And she doesn’t know anyone who’s ever had a party thrown by the isle’s greatest superhero team. When Nightcrawler called and invited her for the bash, he mentioned it was for Alistaire and Meggan. He said she hadn’t been feeling up to par. She wonders if the weather has anything to do with it. It’s been a mess for days now. She reaches for the doorknob, wondering if she should have bought Meggan a present as well.
The next moment, the door shatters as a roaring monster flies outside, leaving Alysande on the ground, wondering what that was. Captain Britain and Lockheed immediately fly after the monster, followed by Widget wearing a party hat. Alistaire shouts after Cap not to lose her. He must get her back here as soon as possible and try to be discreet about it. Excalibur doesn’t need to be front page about this one. Oh hi, sis, he greets Alysande, finally noticing her. Is she ok? Meggan didn’t hurt her on her way, out, did she?
That was Meggan? Alysande exclaims as she enters the lighthouse. Walking ahead, Alistaire informs her rather matter of fact that it seems Meggan turned into a vampire. He asks her to come in; he needs some help with Phoenix. Meggan belted her across the room into a bookshelf. It wasn’t pretty. Come on, he asks her more urgently. Alysande demands to know what’s going on. They reach the top level, where a moaning Rachel lies on a couch and Alistaire gives his sister the facts he knows.
Meggan went berserk in the middle of the party, cracked Phoenix one in the head, then lunged for Alistaire. Kurt teleported him out of the way. He tried to calm Meggan, but she bit him. Then when the Captain tried to get her, she made for the door straight away. Does she know any first aid? He’s worried about Rachel. Only basic WHO training, Alysande replies. She wants to take one of the chairs in front of the closet, but Alistaire warns her away. He reminds her that Meggan bit Kurt, so he pushed him into the closet just as the Captain left. He thinks Kurt is a vampire too!
Meanwhile Captain Britain, Widget and Lockheed search for Meggan above London. Lockheed has picked up something. Below them are Dai Thoma and other Scotland Yard police officers on a case. Cap hopes that mess isn’t Meggan’s fault or they can forget about keeping this under wraps. He lands and greets Thomas, asking what’s up. Police business, Thomas tells him, suggesting he do something else besides bothering him. How about looking for that Shadowcat girl they lost when they were off dimension-hopping?
Annoyed, Cap takes away Thomas’s cigarette and asks if Dai could suggest a dimension to start with. These things could kill him, and they wouldn’t want that, would they? Now… what’s up? Testy, Dai mocks and tells him that a woman while walking with some friends collapsed of a heart attack. Everyone that was present claimed a seven foot bat caused the attack when it flew down and landed in front of them. That’s the fifth sighting tonight. Where did the creature go? Cap asks. Towards Hyde Park, comes the reply. As Cap takes off, Dai shouts after him that the woman will be fine, in case he is interested. While Thomas mutters curses abut bleeding rubber-suits Officer O’Hara informs him that a squad car is missing.
Meanwhile back at the lighthouse Alysande is trying to get her brother to stop pacing, but Alistaire worries too much. Phoenix still isn’t conscious. Nightcrawler’s had more medical training than either of the siblings. Perhaps he hasn’t changed into a vampire yet and might help… Alysande points out that neither of them is equipped to deal with a vampire, much less a mutant one. He doesn’t know about that, Alistaire boasts. He’s been through quite a few sticky wickets with this team… alternate dimensions, demon sorceresses… He’s stared in the face of death. Foiled the plans of cosmic giants. Impatiently, his sister shouts his name and then suggests he just open his presents.
Alistaire finds a gift from Rachel, a sword earring. It’s strange how she always… Suddenly, he has an idea. He knows who can help: Strange. Doctor Strange!
In Hyde Park, Captain Britain, Widget and Lockheed are still searching. Peering through shrubbery, Brian feels like a peeping Tom. While he wonders where Meggan is he’s unaware that he has become the hunted. Suddenly, Meggan, having taken on aspects of a bat monster, attacks.
Back at the lighthouse, Alistaire places his phone call. In New York, Strange’s manservant Wong takes the phone. Is this Dr. Strange? Alistaire asks. No, this is Wong, Wong replies. Wrong? Alistaire misunderstands. What is? He is, Wong replies, not understanding. Exasperated, Alistaire just explains the problem. And moments later, Wong notifies his meditating employer Dr. Strange that his old acquaintance Nightcrawler apparently has been transformed into a vampire. At that word, Dr. Strange listens intently.
Elsewhere, Meggan tries to choke the life out of Cap. Realizing that she’s playing for keeps, he is torn what to do. She’s a woman. He can’t hit a woman, then again… he finally does it. She lands hard and looks human again. Feeling guilty, he runs to her side and apologizes.
Meggan suddenly shouts help, rape! And all the pensioners nearby begin to attack the Captain with handbags, canes and the like while Meggan makes a run for it and Lockheed and Widget sigh in disgust.
Back at the lighthouse, Alistaire is pacing and muttering till Alysande points out that Strange and his apprentice Rintrah have arrived behind him. Dr. Strange examines Rachel only to find a mild concussion. Meanwhile, Rintrah frees Kurt from the wardrobe – a very normal looking Kurt. But Alistaire said his teeth were looking sharp… They’re always like this, Kurt reminds them and tells Alistaire he’d like to have a word with him afterwards… in private.
 After having taken care of his wound, Strange explain that there were no vampire energies emanating from inside the closet. There’s nothing mystical about the gash in Kurt’s shoulder. However, he is worried about their other friend. If Meggan is a true vampire, Captain Britain should be back soon with a handful of dust. It’s dawn.
Meanwhile, back at the park, a thoroughly humiliated Cap has taken Meggan’s trail again with the help of Lockheed. They find her, trying to snack on someone’s pet dog…
Lockheed diverts her with a gust of fire while Cap attacks from behind. Things turn more chaotic when Widget manifests a teleportation portal and they fall right through.
Back at the lighthouse, Alysande has called Inspector Thomas and learns about Meggan’s bat experience and Brian being beaten up by a group of senior citizens.
Suddenly, they hear a thrashing noise from the basement where apart from their dragon they find Cap and Meggan still fighting. Rintrah is eager to stop the monster with the result of him and Cap smashing into each other.
Strange casts a spell freezing all combatants to see who is who. After remarking that he liked Cap’s old uniform better, he sees Meggan. This must be their vampire. He snaps his fingers and they unfreeze. Did he have to let them go? Nightcrawler sighs. Unfortunately to examine Meggan, the doctor explains.
And so, a little later he explains that this is the way Meggan dealt with the energies released from the Darkhold by Marie laVeau. Using the eye of Agamotto, he drains the evil energies from Meggan until finally she is normal again and without any memory of events. Sighing, the Doctor asks for some aspirin.
Later upstairs after some thanks, Strange warns them that Meggan’s reaction could stem from the fact that the vampire Varnae is in England. He asks them to keep their eyes open. He further suggests Kurt take a vacation to nurse that wound. And they really should do something about that dimensional nexus in the basement….
After Strange leaves, Brian asks Kurt if he understood that right: Alistaire had him locked up in the closet all night because he though Kurt was a vampire? It was a mistake, Alistaire shouts. He wasn’t familiar with Kurt’s dental formations. Toss him off a bridge, why don’t they? That can be arranged, Cap replies. Sarcastically, Alistaire compliments him on doing such a fine job of keeping this incident quiet. He heard the senior citizens auxiliary is going to throw a party in his honour. Rachel shouts at the lot to shut up. All this noise is bad for her concussion. And while they keep on fighting, Alysande quietly takes her coat and leaves.


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[Assistant]
No Man is an Island (But no island is a man either, so it works out)
How embarrassing, Kurt Wagner aka the amazing Nightcrawler thinks, as he sits at the control of a plane. Every other X-mutant gets to die in battle, saving the universe from one cosmic evil or another. Everyone except him. He dies on vacation…
In the torrential storm, the radio no longer works. Neither does the navigational system. No place to land in the middle of the worst South Sea tropical storm in thirty years. Next time, it’s straight to Disneyland for him.
Suddenly, he sees an island. No chance to reach it in the plane, but what good is the mutant ability to teleport if he doesn’t indulge himself? Especially now that he’s working his way past his one-day-limit. He teleports down. Of course the problem is he can only teleport at the same speed he’s teleporting out, which is very fast. He lands in the water and is pulled ashore. Groggily, he mutters he didn’t think dying would be so painful.
As he comes out of his fog, he wonders that if he has met his maker he looks awfully familiar. Before him is a giant statue of his head. This is too weird, he mutters, seeing more heads in a row depicting Cyclops, Colossus, Storm and Sunfire. If anyone wants him he will be in a coma. From some distance, a curious young native woman discovers him.
Meanwhile, atop the Excalibur’s lighthouse, a dejected Meggan sits, recalling how close she came to eating a poor little doggie. To say nothing of the chunk she took out of Kurt shoulder. Depressed, she subconsciously takes on the shape of the gulls flying around her. Glumly, she wonders whether she should simply leave the team.
Captain Britain joins her and Meggan quickly returns to her ordinary form. He tells her not to blame herself for what happened and adds that Kurt took Dr Strange’s advice to take some time off to recover. If he knows Kurt as well as he thinks he does, he’s probably having the time of his life. Being a member of Excalibur doesn’t automatically mean everything has to go wrong.
Kurt awakes when he hears a shrill scream. The native girl that watched him before is being dragged away by native men. Kurt follows them at some distance to a volcano, where he witnesses a religious ceremony with the natives throwing fruit down the volcano. The only thing missing is a human sacrifice, Kurt thinks.
As if on cue, the natives are getting ready to throw the girl into the hole. He and his big mouth, Kurt thinks. He teleports in front of them, which predictably leaves him weakened. He grabs the girl, noting that the men seem to almost worship him. However, his weakness causes him to fall over the edge off the volcano with the girl.
A mysterious rock plateau forms out of nowhere beneath them, breaking their fall. She noticed it as well? he remarks as the girl says something in her native language. Good, he thought it was just him.
The rock moves them into a side cavern. If he didn’t know better, he’d swear this island was alive. Faru kri anstru? the girl asks. Right, he agrees. The only living island he knows is probably orbiting Pluto by now.
She shouts something as before them they sees a huge green lifeform and hieroglyphs on the walls, which Kurt realizes are telling the story of how the X-Men beat the living isle Krakoa. The natives probably witnessed this which explains their reverence for the X-Men, but why the human sacrifice?
Maybe it’s because they know that spores from the departing Krakoa fell back to Earth, the green lifeform suddenly suggest. Maybe because it needs the occasional essence of a human soul to build its strength in order to avenge its sire. Maybe still it is because they know that not even their pitiful X-gods can save them from… the son of Krakoa!
Those are all very good reasons, Nightcrawler deadpans. Does he have to choose from them or does he get to make up one of his own?
The native woman standing behind Kurt screams something challenging at Krakoa Jr. Kurt tells her he appreciates the vote of confidence, but now isn’t the time to make him angry. She retorts with something snarky. She didn’t mean that, Kurt says automatically. He doesn’t know what she’s saying? Krakoa Jr. mocks and translates. Danke, Kurt remarks and asks him to tell her to make her way to the surface and bring back reinforcements. Amused, Krakoa Jr. complies. The girl walks away disgusted. Men. Apparently, she expected more from her god.
Who thought recreating the world in his image would be so much fun? the creature adds. Recreating the whole world? Kurt repeats. Pretty ambitious… Not at all, Junior replies. As his father he is of this earth. As the only spore that did not drown he is the forebear of a new race. He is… Vega-Superior!
Please be serious, Kurt protests. Tendrils spring from Junior as he threatens to suck the essence of Kurt’s mutant abilities into himself. There’s such a thing as being too serious, Kurt decides as tendrils grab him.
Junior muses that he should develop a sense of humor before bringing about the genocide of the human race. He’s free on Tuesday if he’d like a lesson, Kurt offers weakly He will be dead long before Tuesday, comes the reply. Maybe Kurt replies and grabs a stalactite with which he cuts himself free. He’s faced worse challenges in the Danger Room. When it was turned off.
He climbs up as Junior threatens he will not escape them. “Them?” Kurt asks. The new life form that will soon walk this Earth. Oh, that them, Kurt replies.
Krakoa Jr. explains that during the X-Men’s brief visit to his father’s isle, he memorized their genetic codes. As his direct descendant, he shares all of Krakoa’s memories. He has used that information to breed a new race of men. Elemental beings, an ice Wolverine, a lava Cyclops and a stone Colossus arise. He calls them…
Please don’t say it, Kurt mutters.
… the Vega-Men!
He’ll say this for him, Kurt remarks. What he lacks for in authenticity, he makes up for with really stupid names.
This from a man who calls himself Nightcrawler? the island retorts while his Vega-Men attack him. Evading “Cyclops,” Kurt admits touché, but adds a Colossus made of stone, a lava spouting Cyclops and a Wolverine made of ice… it’s not the same. Evading “Wolverine’s” strike, he needles the island that even Krakoa would have known that it takes more than one punch to knock out Wolverine, as he demonstrates. If Logan were alive today, he thinks he would be spinning in his grave.
He swings up behind “Cyclops,” remarking he couldn’t do that to the original. On the bright side, if all the Vega-Men are going to be this easily defeated, he’ll probably have time to get a tan before he goes. Observing Colossus, he realizes that the Vega Men are absorbed into the earth as soon as they are beaten.
The girl shouts something and the island translates it as Die, false god! Die, die, die! Kurt gets the basic idea and bamfs away to reappear outside. He realizes he’s managed three ‘ports in one day. Keep pushing himself like this, they’re going to be picking blue fur off the beach for weeks All in all he’d rather be at home fighting Warwolves.
Not enjoying himself? comes the question as Junior’s version of the Angel grabs him. Junior boasts that he is one with the isle. As he grows and matures he can control very aspect of the isle. What it sees, he sees. What it feels, he feels. Kurt grabs a branch from a tree and hits Angel with it, hoping Junior will feel the pain. Startled, Angel lets him go.
Kurt lands utterly exhausted. He notices other islanders trying to tell him something. The meaning becomes too clear as the island version of Nigtcrawler himself takes him into a chokehold. Kurt easily frees himself though and tosses his double into the trees.
He will pay for this, Junior mutters. He’s afraid, his American Express traveller checks went down with the plane, Kurt quips. Suddenly, he notes the double melting. He believes the term is teleporting, the double replies and adds a bumph noise.
Hands suddenly begin to grab Kurt’s leg from the ground beneath him, as he protests. Nightcrawler suggests he never try out a new power during a fight and slams him away with a stick. As he is thrown into a tree and loses contact with the ground, the creature also loses its life. Apparently, Junior’s bond with the isle is more tenuous than he’d have him believe, Kurt realizes.
Suddenly, Junior himself with the angry woman on his shoulder appears to kill Kurt personally. Kurt suggests his Gal Friday is a negative influence on his personality. What happened to the cheerful, fun-loving, quip-spouting junior from moments ago? Junior, however, has no more time for jokes; he has a world to conquer.
What with his mind made up and all he will pardon him for swimming ahead and warning the rest of the planet, Kurt remarks and dives into the ocean, hoping Junior will follow. Egged on by the girl, Junior does so.
When he is in the water, Kurt asks if he’s sure there aren’t any siblings of his Kurt will meet. No chance of that, Junior replies. He was the only spore to land on an island while the rest fell into the sea and… drowned. With that, he sinks and dies, leaving his would-be bride alone and in a snit.
Some time later, Rachel, Meggan and Captain Britain are looking for Kurt and finally search the island. They find he is more than okay. As Kurt is waited upon by the natives, he greets them on Wagner’s Isle. Rachel asks who the woman in the cage is. An old island tradition, Kurt explains. Any islander who offends the god, him in this case, is sentenced to a month in the cage.
After they settle down for a sumptuous feast Kurt begins to narrate what happened. He was flying here in the plane when he…
That plane has been in his family for years, Brian interrupts him. If anything happened to it…
Meggan asks Brian to let Kurt continue. Maybe he should start in the middle, Kurt suggests. After he safely navigated the plane to the shore…


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[Assistant]
Heartbreaker
She had it all planned. Someday when Princess Di didn’t want to be princess anymore, Amy would be the new one. At six years old, her political agenda consisted of making broccoli against the law. Oh, and everyone would have a cat. That was three days ago. Life has a way of changing priorities, even at six years old. Injured and miserable, she hovers in the darkness and the cold.
It’s the same all over London, a city of strangers mourns the plight of a missing child. While Gunther Gyles has confessed to the abduction, he has yet to reveal the whereabouts of Amy Keats. Hundreds of volunteers scour London as do the members of Excalibur.
Searching one building, Nightcrawler tells Shadowcat that they had planned a surprise party for her return. Then the phone rang and, of course, they got involved in the search. He promises her as soon as they find the poor girl, they’ll have such a party. No need to apologize, she tells him, just promise they can invite Amy. They’ll do their best, he promises.
While they continue their search of abandoned buildings in the area, Amy was last seen Captain Britain and Meggan scan she city’s rooftops. Meggan remarks Brian hasn’t spoken a word in half an hour. Is he still angry that Inspector Thomas didn’t let him “question” the suspect? Or is he upset that she volunteered them for their aerial search? They all worry. Why won’t he talk to her? Because he’s been praying, comes the surprising reply.
Outside New Scotland Yard, Dai Thomas fends off the reporters asking how they intend to find the girl, if the kidnapper claims to have no memory of the girl’s whereabouts. He replies that they have called in a specialist in cerebral disorders.
That’s a polite way to put it, Rachel Summers, said specialist, thinks to herself.
And, if Amy’s been left outside in this weather, Dai continues, referring to the downpour, he’d prefer to think happy thoughts.
A young officer hands Rachel a cup of tea and asks here where she went to university. He was a psych major himself at Cambridge. She attended a few classes at Xavier’s in the States, she replies evasively, but mostly it’s stuff she’s developed on her own. One might even say it’s hereditary. Maybe they can exchange theories over dinner, he suggests. She doesn’t date cops, she replies. He’ll quit the force, he promises.
The drenched Thomas comes in, mocking isn’t this a pretty picture – “love in the precinct?” Is she here to help or seduce his men? Fine thanks and you? she deadpans. He tells her to save her smart-mouthed comebacks for supervillains, he needs her to do that cosmic bird thing and sift through the mind of the suspect.
Whoa, Silver, she replies. If he thinks she’s going to pry open someone’s mind and to blazes with his civil rights… Just what he needs, he groans. A politically correct superhero!  Turning Phoenix (much to the fear of her would-be suitor), Rachel telekinetically pulls off the rainwater of Tomas as she rephrases her statement. She came down to the station out of respect for Brian. In his own way he thinks highly of Thomas. Her? She thinks he’s an archaic, reactionary pig with a mad-on against heroes. Now, if that’s all, she will be going.
That’s just like them “superheroes,” he scoffs. They have all the time in the world to save the universe, but think nothing of turning their back on the little people. He holds up a newspaper with an article about the abduction. As something of an orphan, he thought Rachel would know what it’s like to be alone and afraid.
Cheap shot, she protests. He’s full of them, Dai states. Want to hear another or can they get started? Fine, she agrees.
He takes her to the room where Gyles is held. He insists he can’t remember where Amy is to his interrogators. Dai asks them to give him and Rachel five minutes. Sure, one of them agrees, but who’s the chippie with the legs? She’s his nice, Dai replies. Why? Nothing, the other man quickly replies.
Desperate, Gyles insists if he knew he’d tell them. They have to believe him. No, she doesn’t, Rachel replies coolly. He looks at her, explaining it’s like a giant black fist has grabbed his brain and won’t let go. He wouldn’t hurt her. He loved her! Rachel interrupts him, telling him he’s making her sick. She touches his face. Her mind to his mind. Her thoughts to his thoughts. Why does that sound familiar? Thomas asks. She saw it on Star Trek, she replies, now shush!
When Dai asks another question she telepathically tells him to shut up. He orders her to stay out of his mind. If she has anything to say, say it out loud! Out loud she tells him to shut up.
Gyles’ memories:
She relives the abduction. Gyles observed young Amy. He kidnapped her in the schoolyard, there was some kind of interference. He took Amy somewhere, but things are getting very vague. Some outside force is with them. Something that doesn’t want the girl to be found. She is trapped. Somewhere dark.
Rachel tries to go deeper, to the center of his mind, the core of his memory. She sees Amy somewhere, in an open land. The moors? An abandoned building in the distance. The girl whimpers for help. Rachel reaches out for her. The girl turns around, showing a monster’s face. Surprise! she gloats.
Who is it and what is it doing in Gyles’ mind? Rachel demands. She could ask the same question, “Amy” retorts. What has it done with Amy? Rachel asks. Where did Gyles leave her? “Amy” retorts, no way. It hates happy endings. Finds them depressing. It holds up a bomb. A psychic bomb, comes the reply. Rachel is not going to find the girl in time.
There is an explosion without sound, unless you count the noise of windows shattering for several city blocks thanks to the Phoenix effect.
Ouch, Rachel mutters, lying on the ground. Crazy skirt, a shaken Dai exclaims. One minute she’s talking to herself. The next there’s glass everywhere. Fine thanks and you? Rachel replies. Gyles has gone completely insane, muttering gibberish.
Did she get anything? Dai asks. Barely she explains Something has taken over his mind. She picked up some otherdimensional psychic residue. He was thinking more along the lines of a clue.
She recalls seeing an abandoned building on the moors. Does that help? He can think of six abandoned buildings on the moors. Can she use those headpowers of hers to contact the rest of her team? They can cover more ground if they investigate separately. They are called psionic abilities, Rachel corrects him. Consider it done.
The interrogators enter, asking what happened to the suspect. Rachel tells Dai that he’ll be fine in a week or two.
Meanwhile, the rain’s coming down harder by the moment. And an abandoned well is filling rapidly. At its bottom, Amy crouches. A dark being greets her. Is she frightened? it asks. Yes, she replies crying. Good. She is supposed to be… and it laughs at her terror.
Later, Thomas and Rachel exit his car at the place Rachel saw in the man’s mind. It’s here, she announces. She can feel it. Again with the “it,” Dai remarks as he opens the car’s trunk. He’s looking for a kidnapper and she’s expecting the bogeyman.
She’s mentally contacted the rest of Excalibur, Rachel announces. They are a good half hour away. If he wants to wait here for the rest of them…. He scoffs, the day he needs to hide behind a waif such as her, is the day he turns in his badge. Give him a second to get ready.
He dresses in combat gear and takes a gun and knife. Is he expecting the Russian army? she teases. At least he’s no dressed like he’s hoping to be picked up in Picadilly Circus, he retorts. Let her slip into something more comfortable, she replies and changes into her Phoenix outfit. That’s comfortable? he mutters. How does she breathe in that thing? Breathe? she asks as she flies ahead.
In his mind, he calls her an arrogant little girl. He’d think once you have the power to do anything you wouldn’t try so hard to prove yourself.
Rachel flies ahead, seeing the deserted mill. But a strange light comes from it. It blinds her even with her eyes closed. She can feel the light, taste it, as if it is in her very mind. She is Phoenix, she tells herself, she is—
Nothing! Ahab announces, surrounded by his hounds. She is on her knees before him. As his favorite she has earned the right to track his most elusive prey.
Rachel can feel her facial scars resurfacing, a permanent reminder of her role in the fall of mutantkind. Yes, master, she replies, she lives to serve. Against her will she begins to follow his orders, reliving her past. Powerless. Once again in the alternate future she came from where mutants were tracked down and killed by the government.
She remembers the place she is currently in, United Germany, the night she tracked… please no, she begs, as she finally finds Nightcrawler or Father Wagner as he is called now. When he survived the massacre at the mansion Kurt fled to Europe and joined the priesthood.
As a mutant right activist, he’s a constant irritant to the hierarchy, she announces. He retorts that her tyrannical government has no authority here. Germany stands as the vanguard for mutant freedom. Rachel fires energy at him.
Some distance away, Dai Thomas watches, seeing her firing at and speaking to nothing. Just what he needs, a goddess-wannabe gone round the bend!
Kurt prays for Rachel as Rachel telekinetically drops rubble on him. She lands, partially praying he isn’t dead, partially only wanting him alive because it’s her order. She smells brimstone – he teleported!
He strikes her from the back. He abhors violence, but he has to keep her busy to give Pietro time to take away the orphaned mutants. Rachel thinks while they may be safe, he is not, and she will live for the rest of her life with the knowledge she is responsible for his death!
Rachel imprisons Nightcrawler in a telekinetic field. And Ahab kills him in front of her with one of his harpoons. Rachel breaks down crying and apologizing.
Earth to Summers, Thomas asks, wondering why she looks so defeated. Defeated? a force that rises from Rachel asks. What a splendidly human concept. He guesses he owes Summers an apology, Dai states. Turns out I was the bogeyman all along.
The force coalesces and becomes a skeletal being. He grabs Rachel, telling Thomas that the bogeyman is a creature of fantasy. Unlike the illusion he placed in Rachel’s mind, he is quite real. He is D’spayre. And he’s Hope and she’s Crosby, Thomas shoots back. Where is the girl?
D’spayre tells him he should concentrate on defeating him, though it is impossible. He engineered the girl’s dilemma so that he could siphon off the despair and hopelessness of the masses. Then who should drop into his lap but the Phoenix? All he had to do was trigger memories of Rachel’s sordid past and he has enough cosmic angst on hand to expand his reign of terror over yet another dimension!
Thomas fires at him, of course in vain. D’spayre laughs that in the past physical assaults had an actual effect on his corporeal form. That’s why he had to return to his own dimension to heal. But then he has never been this powerful. And once he feeds on all of Phoenix’s cosmic level despair, he will be unstoppable!
How is he at siphoning off disgust? Rachel asks. It’s not his fault, really. He couldn’t have known. But she’s been used by everyone from Galactus to Nightmare and quite frankly she’s sick of it! Phoenix fire flares up as she slugs him away with all her strength, even Amy, barely afloat in the well, can see him.
Phoenix flies after him, threatening what to do if he’s hurt the girl. If she can wait another two minutes, she’ll be dead, he replies, then he’d be happy to tell her where she is!
Happens every time, Dai thinks. Take any two people in a costume, introduce them and they commence to destroy huge tracks of real estate. If it were up to him, he’d take the whole lot of them, wrap them up in baling wire and drop them down a well. He passes the well, and realizes Amy is there. He looks down and, thanks to Phoenix’s flare sees the child swimming in the water, about to go under. He has no way to reach her but one, so he drops his gear and jumps inside.
Rachel is doing badly as D’spayre seems to be getting stronger. Unnecessarily, he explains that, the more he beats her, the more depressed she becomes. The more depressed she becomes, the more he… She gets the point, Rachel interrupts. He adds that in the past he only created illusions and thrived on the despair of individuals. This time he manufactured an event that captured and tortured the heart of a city. With the death of the girl all of London will grieve and he will feast. Soon he will be as powerful in this dimension as in his own.
Nearby in the well, Dai manages to hold up Amy.
Outside, Rachel too is almost drowned by the water blast D’spayre sends at her. It also hits the well and Dai and Amy are now also beset by water from above. And Dai hits his head.
D’spayre gets ready for the killing stroke, remarking he couldn’t have done it without her. What makes him think death is going to stop her, Rachel threatens. D’yspare is not impressed.
In the well, Amy now tries to help the dazed Dai Thomas, telling him they can make it.
Above D’spayre experiences a stab of pain at Amy’s hope. Rachel too senses it and blasts loose. She fries him, telling him it’s funny the things you learn as you get older. As kids they don’t know they are supposed to give up. He couldn’t crush Amy’s spirit and her faith reignited Rachel’s own. He shrinks. D’spayre threatens to be back. Squishing him, Rachel replies she knows and she’ll be waiting for him.
That done, she telekinetically lifts Dai and Amy from the well. Amy asks her to help Dai. He saved her. Rachel is amazed that after all she’s been through. Amy’s only concern is for someone else.
While Amy asks how he is, Rachel gives him a psionic push. Fine, thanks and you? he replies weakly. He’s stealing her best line? Rachel asks. He supposes he should say “thank you,” he admits. Too bad D’spayre didn’t thrive on gratitude, Rachel quips, he wouldn’t have lasted five seconds against Dai.
Dai blusters as Rachel and Amy help him up and Rachel calls him a big softy. If she were twenty years older… She wouldn’t be dressed like that! he gets in the last word.