The Uncanny X-Men (1981)

X-Cutioner's Song starts with a bang. Professor X delivers a speech after a Lila Cheney concert in Central Park as Gambit and Storm look on. Cable, or someone who looks like him, emerges from the crowd and shoots the Professor and teleports away saying, "The world will know me as the man who saved tomorrow."

Elsewhere, Caliban, War, and Famine attack and abduct Cyclops and Jean Grey in the name of Apocalypse.

Story continues in X-Factor #84.

Mistake: X-Force's home is listed as being in New Mexico. It is really in Arizona.

Synopsis

Archangel, with a white face, picks up the newly promoted Sergeant Jones in a limo for a date at the park. They are going to see the One World Harmony concert. It doesn't take Archangel long to put on the moves, as the two are soon making out. The driver slyly rolls the partition up.

At the park, Bishop fumes at how little protection the X-Men are able to afford Professor Xavier. They are all spread out while 75 thousand people swarm the park. Rogue assures him that the X-Men have done just fine in the past. Feeling her coldness, Bishop asks if she is still peeved about the pie incident. You can tell that she is.

Backstage, Lila Cheney prepares to perform and has a chat with Professor X. She worries that the masses may not be ready for his message of human and mutant harmony. He tells her, however, that, ready or not, the message must be delivered. Below the stage, two people are quickly setting up a bomb to blow up the Professor. A man, looking remarkably like Cable, steps from the shadows and kills them with a very high-tech gun (only their bones are left). He stands above their bodies and states that despite their deaths, Xavier will die anyway, just not at that moment.

At Harry's Hideaway, Cyclops sits in a booth and contemplates Wolverine's loss of Mariko. He likens it to when he lost Jean. Oddly enough, he then starts fantasizing about Psylocke. Just then, Jean walks in and catches Cyclops in his thoughts. He tries to convince her that he was only thinking of her, but Jean merely quips that you shouldn't lie to a telepath. Across the street, Iceman and Colossus shop at a grocery store. Iceman tries to get Colossus to open up about his brother's suicide, but Colossus states that it is a shameful and personal matter.

Back at the park, Gambit and Storm are teamed together and Gambit tries to humor his old friend. They haven't had much time to talk since the team split into two and Storm is a little concerned about all the secrets in Gambit's life. He is able to shrug off her concerns by getting her to dance with him.

In the Grand Hyatt Hotel, X-Factor sits down to watch the World Harmony Concert. Madrox has a personal conga line going. Strong Guy asks him to keep quiet, but Madrox quips that Strong Guy is feeling a little sensitive since Lila Cheney didn't bother asking him to be her body guard again. In a huff, Strong Guy carries the television to another room. Quicksilver follows him, very quickly.

Back at Harry's Hideaway, Cyclops tries to work his way around being busted thinking about Psylocke. His best argument becomes that Psylocke is a sexy woman and he can't help noticing her. He follows this up, however, with some talk about how Jean is still the only one for him. Just then, Caliban barges through a window.

In the park, Lila finishes up her set and then announces that Professor Xavier will now address the crowd. This is unacceptable. The crowd turns hostile. The Cable figure punches a man for suggesting that Xavier be shot. He then states that it is rare for a man to deliver his own eulogy.

As Iceman and Colossus walk out of the grocery store they see a crowd bursting from Harry's Hideaway. They immediately transform to help in whatever way they can. They are waylaid, however, by War and Famine, two of the Horsemen of Apocalypse.

Back at the park, Xavier begins a speech about how everyone should be able to coexist: blacks, whites, Jews, homosexuals, and even mutants. Despite his openness and rhetoric, the crowd is still not convinced. The Professor is then shot with a very powerful gun in the chest. As he lies in his blood, the smoking gun is held by the man who looks like Cable. This man claims that he has just saved tomorrow.

At Harry's Hideaway, Cyclops and Jean can't help but notice that Caliban is stronger and not as susceptible to their attacks. He tells the two that he is now to be called Death, another Horseman of Apocalypse. The two are subdued as the walls of the bar come crashing down. Outside, Famine tries to feed off of Colossus in his metallic state. With nothing to suck from him, her powers rebound and she feeds off herself. War, enraged, charges Colossus, who simply knocks the crap out of him. The two Horsemen retreat and the two mutants note that there is no sign of Cyclops or Jean.

Back at the park, amidst the pandemonium, Archangel bursts forth from his suit. His image inducer off, he takes on the appearance of the blue angel of death. Just as he fires some of his razor feathers, the Cable figure teleports away. Lila yells to the others that they are losing the Professor.

At Camp Verde, the outlaw group called X-Force finishes up their jimmy-rigged television feed. They are anxious to see the concert. Once they finally get in, however, they see the news: the Professor has been shot and their mentor may have been the one to do it.

Continued from X-Force #16. Apocalypse is weakened, in pain, and loving it. He runs into a group of X-Men waiting for him in his safe house with his Horsemen incapacitated. While they attempt to interrogate him, he knocks half the team out of the battle but is almost defeated before he teleports away.

X-Force, defeated, is incarcerated in the Danger Room while Havok and Gambit have a talk with Cannonball about helping track down Stryfe and the MLF.

Stryfe tortures Jean Grey at an undisclosed location with robotic arms.

Meanwhile, Bishop and Wolverine bust into Canada's Department K to find files on Cable and the MLF but come under attack and coincidentally run into Cable. Story continues in X-Factor #85.

Synopsis

Awakened too soon, a broken Apocalypse climbs to one of his old houses. He relishes the pain knowing that it makes him stronger in the end. He ponders his situation: his Horsemen on the loose without his consent and his Dark Riders waking him to hear that someone is acting in his name. This puzzle won't be answered yet; the X-Men are waiting for him. They have questions about the activities Apocalypse is supposedly participating in. They promise that they won't take it easy on him.

At the X-Mansion, X-Force receives an earful from Jubilee. The team is being held in the Danger Room with no amenities. They don't even get the benefit of scenery from the Shi'ar technology. Cannonball stews in the fact that he's let his team down. Jubilee finally gets escorted out by Strong Guy. Polaris looks on and begins crying. Havok enters and tries to comfort her. She wants a bit more lenience for these young mutants, but Havok stands firm in claiming that they have to be treated as prisoners until they can be sure that X-Force isn't hiding anything concerning Cable. The two then head to a briefing with Valerie Cooper.

Elsewhere in the mansion, Psylocke stands over the body of Professor Xavier. She sees his body slowly attack itself and transform into something else. She advances with her psi-blade drawn; she doesn't want anyone to have to suffer as she has. Before she can purge his brain, however, Moira generally announces the briefing. Psylocke promises to return.

In the house of Apocalypse, Iceman makes the first move and attempts to freeze Apocalypse in place. He receives a jolt in return and Apocalypse abandons his weakened body to one far more intimidating. Not buying it, Beast attacks. He is sent reeling into Storm, the two of them flying out the window. Apocalypse then turns to stare down Quicksilver.

In an undisclosed location, Jean Grey endures the horror of thousands of metal hands groping and prodding her. She can't use her powers to free herself. Her screams of frustration and pain are kept inside, as she doesn't want her captor to have the satisfaction of hearing her broken. She is finally released and deposited at the feet of Stryfe. He cryptically asks her if she felt like a baby being handled by aliens, lacking any love or affection. Jean passes out after asking why he would do this to her. He merely states that he was going to ask her the same thing.

At the briefing, Val Cooper informs the X-Men and X-Factor that Mr. Sinister had given her the name of the man responsible for their current problems: Stryfe. Before, Stryfe had only been engaged in small time terrorism - he seems to be aiming higher. Strong Guy wonders if Stryfe is just miffed about a glove he lost to X-Factor a few weeks back. Val isn't convinced but doesn't have any other clue as to why Stryfe would kidnap Cyclops and Jean Grey, let alone shoot Professor X. Jubilee then states that for all the group knows that Stryfe is really just Cable. Val then notices that Wolverine and Bishop haven't joined them yet. Gambit and Rogue assure the group that the two should be along any time now.

Wolverine and Bishop probably won't make that briefing, as they are in Canada. The men break into Department K in hopes of using the Canadian government's resources to locate any locations Cable might use for a safehouse. They trigger an alarm and have to fight off dozens of guards. The job is too easy for the two. Wolverine locates the Records Room and the men head that way. Bishop asks Wolverine to put in a good word for him to Storm. Wolverine, having seen that Bishop didn't kill anybody, agrees.

Back at the house of Apocalypse, Quicksilver decides to fight. He is quickly taken out when Apocalypse elongates his arm. He is then immediately tackled by Archangel and Colossus. Archangel is more than happy to decapitate his former master. They ask for the information they need to get things back to normal but Apocalypse merely summons the alien power that resides within his home and blasts the two mutants away. Standing over the bodies of his foes, Apocalypse knows that he should kill them. He also realizes that he must preserve his energies for the person responsible for his awakening. He teleports away.

In the X-Mansion, Cannonball is brought into a room with Havok and Gambit. Cannonball isn't sure what the bother is; he's already told them everything he knew about Cable. Gambit isn't so sure and makes a threat that expresses just that sentiment. Havok tries to take a more subtle approach. He knows X-Force has had run-ins with Stryfe and he wants Cannonball's help to bring the guy down. He even offers him his costume as a show of good faith. Cannonball isn't too confident, but Havok reassures him that his best is all that's ever been asked - or has he forgotten that in running around with Cable?

At Department K, Cable bodyslides in and hears the alarm. Professor informs him that there was a breach and Cable reasons that whoever broke in is probably going to have to deal with the security guards. He strolls in and blasts a hole in a wall to access the Records Room (as he's looking for information on Stryfe) and runs headlong into Wolverine and Bishop.

Continued from X-Force #17. Beast completes surgery on Professor X to remove Stryfe's bullet. Moira tells Beast she broke Stryfe's code in the T-O virus but it only says "You are smart but I am smarter" over and over. Apocalypse, detained in the X-Mansion, suggests that he can save Xavier and Archangel vouches for him.

Meanwhile, Stryfe's torture of Cyclops and Jean Grey continues. He presents them with an infant and tells them they if they destroy the child, they will destroy him as well. To Stryfe's amazement, they choose to rescue the child.

Cable uses the Professor to find Stryfe on Earth and comes to the conclusion that he's not on the planet. Story continues in X-Factor #86.

Synopsis

Having escaped their cell, Cyclops and Jean Grey find themselves cornered by a select few of Stryfe's Dark Riders (he stole them from Apocalypse in an earlier issue). Cyclops' visor has been removed and Jean seems out cold. It's a well known fact that Cyclops can't control his plasma blasts without his visor so the Dark Riders advance with no fear. Unfortunately for them, Jean was only faking; her psychic rapport with Cyclops allows her to control his eye beams and he easily blasts the Dark Riders out of the way. He and Jean move on and run into a large room that appears to be a dead end; they are on a balcony in a room that has a huge drop-off with another balcony across the chasm. To make matters more interesting, Mainframe shows up to engage them. Cyclops holds him off while Jean forms a teke-rope. They kiss as they swing across to the other balcony to continue their escape.

Stryfe watches Cyclops and Jean Grey escape. He consoles Zero. He explains that the two mutant captives are far too predictable and he will soon have them trapped and destroyed by his deceptions.

At Professor Xavier's mansion, Beast has successfully removed the slug from Xavier's head. Sadly, this doesn't halt the progress of the techno-organic virus. Moira tells Beast and Polaris that she has finally unlocked the binary code that accompanied the virus. She sounds grave and with good reason. She plays the message: Stryfe appears on the screen and taunts, "You're smart but I'm smarter" over and over. The Beast recognizes the childlike quality to the message. He then hopes that Cable, Wolverine, and Bishop are getting closer to discovering where Stryfe could be. Polaris doubts it when she reflects on each person's propensity for team playing.

On Graymalkin, Bishop and Wolverine have Professor continually playback the assassination attempt and any other relevant factor. The men recap the events, including the framing of Cable, Mr. Sinister's involvement, and the capture of X-Force. Bishop concludes that things must be plainer than they appear. He has Professor group the main pieces to run a diagnostic on what they all have in common. Grouped together are Stryfe, Apocalypse, Cyclops, and Jean Grey. Bishop then adds Cable to the mix.

As Cyclops and Jean Grey continue trying to find a way to escape, they stumble upon a baby hooked to the complex.

At the X-Mansion, Apocalypse awakens from a healing sleep. It seems that this one wasn't voluntary, as he had passed out just after offering to help the X-Men. Storm asks why they should trust him. Surprisingly enough, Archangel sticks up for his former master. He states that Apocalypse is probably the only person who knows more about the techno-organic virus and would probably be the only one who could save Xavier. The X-Men walk Apocalypse to Xavier's room and Apocalypse announces his awe at Archangel for not killing him then and there. Archangel states that he won't kill Apocalypse just because it is convenient - he wants to do it on his own terms. His time, his place. Apocalypse grins.

Back on Graymalkin, Bishop relates how mutants would hide from the Nimrods in his time node - they'd simply go where they were least expected to be, with regular humans. Following the analogy, Stryfe could be hiding among his own enemies. The X-Mansion is invalid because Cerebro would have picked him up, as would Professor is Stryfe were somehow hiding on Graymalkin. Professor does a scan of some of the old haunts of Apocalypse and gets nothing.

Jean looks down at the baby and can't believe how close the infant looks to the son of Cyclops, Nathan. (Cyclops had had to send him to the future to be cured of the techno-organic virus Apocalypse had inflicted him with.) Cyclops is sure that this baby is a ploy, a fake, but Jean is able to sense a thought pattern within the child. He is alive. Stryfe appears by hologram and informs the two that the baby is connected to the life support of the base in which Stryfe is living. Destroy the baby, he says, and Stryfe is also destroyed. He gives them thirty seconds to decide. Cyclops objects to such a notion. Within his observatory, Stryfe tells Zero that Cyclops will have no problem deciding to destroy the child, as he's already made this type of decision once in his life. Contrary to these thoughts, however, Cyclops tries to find a way to save the child. Simply, he does not have enough time. Jean concedes that they must give themselves up to save the life of the child. This is not an option for Stryfe and he sends in the Dark Riders. He shouts that Cyclops and Jean Grey must kill the child in order to save themselves. The Stryfe's horror, Cyclops and Jean refuse to the kill the child. They fight to protect the baby. Every thought he'd had about Cyclops and Jean seems to be a lie and Stryfe doesn't know how to process this new wrinkle in his plan. Cyclops and Jean jump from the platform the baby and Dark Riders are on in hopes of drawing the enemies after them. As they fall, the baby reverts to the techno-organic structure it once was; the life Jean sensed was merely Stryfe's thoughts being channeled through the baby. As they fall, Cyclops blasts a hole into the wall and Jean attempts to mentally move them through the hole. This effort is pointless, however, as they are easily sucked right out.

At that moment, both the parties of Cable and Cyclops realize where Stryfe has been hiding. Wolverine explains that Stryfe is in the last hideout Apocalypse had. Cyclops and Jean have just been sucked out onto the surface of the moon.

Professor X has the ability to use his legs back as a result of the T-O virus Stryfe infected him with. Jubilee takes him rollerblading, Gambit tries to make out with Rogue, and Beast and Archangel rebuild Harry's Hideaway destroyed by Caliban.

Synopsis

Archangel and Beast: The two arrive at the scene of Harry's Hideaway with the intent to fix up the place. The place has a special place in the hearts of the X-Men and the two want to be able to preserve the memories, as well as have the place in tact for future teams. The place looks hopeless after Caliban's attack demolished the place, but Beast pulls out some advanced tools designed by Forge and the two begin working.

The men reminisce on old school days and Beast reminds Archangel that he wrote one of his papers. Archangel recalls that the instructions for this particular paper were changed at the last minute and Professor X asked each student to deliver their reports mentally. Beast is unable to hold back the truth and admits that he tipped off the Professor. Archangel can't believe it and sprays the Beast with wood varnish.

As the bar gets repaired, the two share their tales of self-inclicted woe: Archangel becoming a horseman of Apocalypse and Beast trying to tamper with his genetics. The men are interrupted by a police officer who barges into the bar thinking to apprehend trespassers on condemned property. Archangel and Beast's image-inducers change their appearance to construction workers and they calm the officer's fears of trespassers by producing working permits to reconstruct the bar. The officer is appeased and compliments the men on their work. He leaves and Archangel and Beast wrap up their tasks.

Rogue and Gambit: Sitting atop the Xavier Institute for Higher Learning, Rogue laments both the loss of her sight (thanks to Strobe) and her inability to truly connect with anyone. Gambit approaches and tries to soothe her mind. She initially pushes him away but then opens up to him about her frustrations. She expresses that she'd love to be with him, but she knows she can't. Gambit takes the risk and reaches out to touch her. Rogue gets angry and smacks his hand away and demands that he respect her. He doesn't know what to say and walks away. He later returns with a blanket and wraps her in it with the promise that everything is going to be okay.

Jubilee and Professor X: Jubilee enjoys the freedom the X-Men's rest affords by rollerblading around the school grounds. She is startled and falls to the ground and sees Professor X standing on the lawn. Jubilee is surprised to see him as such and he explains that the techno-organic virus temporarily healed his back. He plans to use the time he has left walking to enjoy some of the finer things in life - like feeling grass between his toes. Jubilee mentions that, in her opinion, the finer things in life include learning to rollerblade. He reluctantly agrees to let her teach him and he soon admits that he is enjoying himself. Jubilee is glad but then asks for forgiveness as she pulls him off the pier and into the water.

As the two towel off, Jubilee admits that she can see a bit of normalcy in Professor X. He thanks her for the oddly stated compliment and informs her that he has had a great time. He begins walking back to the house and begins to stumble. Jubilee can see that the positive effects of the techno-organic virus are wearing off and she fights her pride (while ignoring his) by rushing to his side and helping him back into his wheelchair.

Looks like Magneto may have survived the crash of Asteroid M (X-Men #3)! Not much else in this issue, except the introduction of Graydon Creed as the leader of the anti- mutant group The Friends of Humanity. At some later point, of course, we learn this Creed is the father of the other Creed we all love to hate - Sabretooth! Also, there's some stuff with Fitzroy and the Upstarts, and Illyana starts to come down with the Legacy Virus.

Selene, the Black Queen is a prisoner of Trevor Fizroy, who is brutally torturing her. He then calls a meeting of the Upstarts (Siena Blaze, Graydon Creed, Shinobi Shaw, Fabian Cortez, and the Gamesmaster). They all agree to make Forge their next target for points, as Fitzroy requests.

Back at the Xavier Institute, Colossus is speaking with his ill sisiter, Illyana. He is trapped in his armored form, and Illyana comforts him. Moira MacTaggert and Professor X watch on in tears, Moira asking Charles to tell Piotr, but the Professor refuses.

At Forge's aerie, a young woman named Raven arrives, who Forge knows as Mystique. The two walk to the workout room together, and discuss the recent death of Destiny, Mystique's former lover. Mystique quickly changes the subject, gets into her work clothes and begins to workout.

Bishop and Storm are heading to Forge's Aerie to ask for his assistance with the Legacy virus. They discuss Jubilee's asking Bishop if they are dating, and Bishop is confused about the concept of relationships. Storm is angry that he said that he didn't know.

Back at the Aerie, the alarm goes off and Trevor Fizroy attacks them. Fizroy immediately attacks Forge and Mystique, but Forge manages to reach his gun and blast him through a wall. Back at the mansion, Archangel and Iceman leave for Texas, leaving Bobby's girlfriend Opal behind.

When Fitzroy get the upper hand on Forge and Mystique, she transforms into Bishop to throw him off, but fails. He then sets of an explosion, while Storm watches as the whole complex explodes.

Cyclops and Cable battle the X-Cutioner!

Scott's bachelor party is underway, but the man of honor is running late. As he's leaving the mansion, an alert goes off and he finds a holographic image of the day he let his son go into the future being played out in the Danger Room. Cable had made his way into the mansion so that he could see the day he was abandoned. He confronts Cyclops about it and the two verbally duke it out until both have an understanding of the other. As resolution occurs, Sabretooth alerts the men that an intruder is in the Medilab. The two find the X-Cutioner and take him out as father and son. Cable then drops Cyclops off at his party with a note stating Cable will be at the wedding.

Continued from X-Men #36. Banshee is checking in at Xavier's Mansion, but things seem to be out of sorts. People are rude, cruel, and going places they shouldn't. Slowly, Banshee realizes that the mansion has been taken over by the Phalanx. He frees Sabretooth and charges him with saving Jubilee and Emma Frost. He then gathers some information from the Phalanx; they are trying to find the next generation of mutants so as to learn how to assimilate mutants as well as they do humans. It's up to Banshee, Sabretooth, Emma Frost, and Jubilee to warn the others of the threat and stop the Phalanx from achieving its goals. Story continues in X-Men #36.

Note:

• The X-Men do not appear in this issue. The characters seen are disguised Phalanx.
• Monet does not appear in this issue. She is actually her younger twin sisters parading as Monet.

Synopsis

In Monaco, a limo with the mutant Monet and her guardian Colonel Cord-Becker drives down a highway. It is attacked by part of the Phalanx, which immediately absorbs the driver. Cord-Becker attempts to protect Monet, but the alien absorbs her, as well. Monet is then entombed within the Phalanx and both disappear.

In New York, Banshee visits Xavier's Mansion and finds that the X-Men appear to be a little off. Emma Frost (restrained due to recently taking over Iceman's body) pleads for Banshee to help her, but he is whisked away and brushed aside without a second thought. He takes a call from Cyclops and Jean Grey and directs them to Xavier in Muir Island. Archangel chastises Banshee for taking the call as an unauthorized individual and Banshee decides to head to his quarters to keep out of everyone's way.

Banshee decides to get a work out in but finds the Danger Room locked. He then see Psylocke leave the Professor's private office. The door is left open so Banshee walks in and finds Bishop and Gambit working on Cerebro. Banshee tries to play off his surprise and then departs to alert Storm to some odd activities. When he attempts to call her, however, the mansion's computer relates that no known identifiable life forms are in the mansion except for Banshee, Jubilee, Emma Frost, and Sabretooth. He rushes to put in a call to the Professor but finds the communications room - the one he had just been in with Archangel - is now completely dismantled.

Banshee heads downstairs to take Sabretooth out for a walk and a talk. Rogue is there, however, and gets a little physical in denying Banshee access. Banshee lets out a scream and shreds Rogue into Phalanx pieces. He rushes in and helps Sabretooth up; Sabretooth already seems to know that something is amiss. Sabretooth fully rips up the Rogue Phalanx and heads out to free Jubilee and Emma Frost. Sabretooth overhears the Gambit Phalanx explain that the X-Men's files are almost downloaded and they can soon learn how to assimilate mutants. Banshee then charges in and shoots the aliens.

Elsewhere, Sabretooth has freed Jubilee (she has apparently passed out) and Emma Frost. Sabretooth leads them to a rendezvous with Banshee. Banshee destroys the mansion's Ready Room - along with all the information of the X-Men and the resident Phalanx - and escapes to meet up with Sabretooth. Banshee explains that he sent off some information to Xavier, but that there mission is to find the next generation of mutants, as that appears to be the goal of the Phalanx.

Continued from X-Men #36. Emma Frost takes the survivors to her place while she and Banshee infiltrate a SHIELD base to gather clues as to where the Phalanx may be holding the captured mutants. The captured mutants, on the other hand, are meeting each other and discussing how to escape from their cell. Monet takes charge and busts the group out, but Paige feels that she is being assimilated and fears she may slow everyone down. Story concludes in X-Men #37.

Synopsis

Paige Guthrie awakens in a cell with the malleable body of a mutant boy draped over her like a blanket. She learns that she is not the only young mutant captive; in the cell are also Clarice, Monet, Angelo, and Gregor. Paige tries to boost everyone's spirits by explaining that the X-Men will soon arrive to help them. Monet simply picks at her suit.

In San Francisco, Emma takes Banshee, Jubilee, and Thomas to her home to do a little research. Emma brings up the schematics for a local SHIELD safe-house, a place that should have the resources necessary to track the missing mutants.

At the cell, a Phalanx host named Harvest arrives to taunt and possibly hurt the prisoners. Clarice - or Blink - uses her powers to dislodge several parts of Harvest's body. Gregor pulls her back and Harvest retreats. Angelo - or Skin - realizes that their powers are not being inhibited and that the Phalanx should fear them. Monet continues to pick at her suit.

Banshee and Emma leave the younger mutants behind and infiltrate the SHIELD safe house by masquerading as agents. Banshee uses his power to scramble any physical readings and Emma psionically alters their appearance. The ruse appears to work.

Back in the cell, Monet speaks for the first time. She informs the group that they are being monitored by the Phalanx. The suit they wear is techno-organic and is part of the Phalanx network. Monet has, however, repurposed some of her suit's mesh and makes a gun with it. She uses the gun on Gregor, who turns out to be Phalanx spy.

In the SHIELD safe house, Banshee and Emma make some headway in locating the Phalanx, but the rain puddles at their feet alert the SHIELD agents that something is going on. Shaking off Emma's influence, the agents attempt to arrest the two. Banshee uses a scream to nullify the threat and Emma works a little faster to get the information they need.

In the cell, Monet explains that when she fried Gregor she fused open a fake surveillance channel, which should give them time to escape. She punches a hole in the wall and the young mutants emerge from the cell. Paige tries to stay behind; the techno-organic virus seems to be affecting her more so than the others and she is afraid that she will only slow everyone down. Monet will not leave Paige behind. The four young mutants begin to search for a way to escape, but they will soon find that they are on a boat out to sea.

The X-Men's resident mall rat Jubilation Lee has had many adventures with those who have become her friends and extended family now she must leave the team she has called her home for so long to be with students her own age and learn better control of her power with the mutants of Generation-X......A story of growing up and moving on!

Synopsis

Skin exists Xavier's school and tries to hitchhike. Unfortunately, he is on an access road so the only ride he can hitch is from Beast. Skin reluctantly gets in the car on the terms that Beast not try to persuade him to stick around. Skin is quickly annoyed by Beast's flippancy and argues that life sucks. His skin starts growing due to his frustration and Beast hands the kid the car keys. Skin drives away in a huff.

Back at the school, Cyclops and Jean Grey discuss their honeymoon with Professor Xavier and wonder if they should tell Cable that they were his adoptive parents. They also relay information regarding a prototype of Stryfe's Legacy Virus that they discovered in the future. Professor Xavier then suffers some mental distress. He attributes this to the loss of some of his life's work when the Danger Room was destroyed in a battle with the Phalanx, as well as his attempt to adequately absorb the ten years of information Cyclops and Jean have given him from their time in the future. He takes leave to get some rest.

At the mall, M treats Jubilee, Husk, and Synch to some new clothes. Husk is shocked when she sees the price tag on her outfit; even more-so when M pays without batting an eye. Across the thoroughfare, Bishop and Storm give Banshee a pep talk regarding his new position as the headmaster of the latest mutant training school.

On Xavier's lawn, Emma Frost directs some workers in the placement of a new school sign. She is drawn away, however, by Iceman. Iceman is confused, as Emma - when she had possessed his body - was able to do things with Iceman's powers that he did not even know were possible. She berates Iceman for his failures in even attempting to push the boundaries of his powers and enters his mind to give him another taste of his potential. Instead of turning to smooth ice, Iceman transforms into a powerful-looking spiked being. Emma then leaves him on the lawn and hopes he can figure out these powers for himself before the desire for the abilities drives him crazy.

Inside, Jubilee has returned and has packed her bags. Archangel enters her room and tries to give her counsel. Jubilee lashes out that Archangel - Mr. Never-Emotes - is the last person who should be coming to her to proffer advice. She lectures him on the need to open up to others while admitting that she's just being a brat. The two hug it out.

At the estate's boat house, Gambit helps Cyclops move in. Cyclops and Jean have been given the house so as to have a more private dwelling. Gambit admits that he is jealous of Cyclops. Cyclops tries to deflect this by bringing up Gambit's relationship with Rogue, but Gambit clearly does not want to talk about it.

In the driveway, Banshee prepares to leave. Professor Xavier gives him some last words of counsel about trusting Emma Frost. Jubilee comes out to bid the Professor goodbye, but only on the condition that he not speak (or else she'll cry). She whispers her thanks and then she and Banshee drive away. Skin then drives up in Beast's car and asks to be considered for the new school. Professor Xavier welcomes him and instructs him to quickly drive and catch up with Banshee.

As Skin drives away, Professor Xavier reflects on the mantle he has passed on to Banshee as the sun sets.

Iceman and Rogue travel to Iceman's home. Meanwhile, a romance between Pyslocke and Archangel blooms.

Prelude to Legion Quest.

Archangel and Psylocke have a night on the town and end up thinking outside the hero-relationship box. Rogue and Iceman take a trip to visit Iceman's parents, but leave when the father is nothing more than a bigot. Professor Xavier dreams of a meeting with Magneto. It is then revealed that Legion is back and healthy, and that may not be the best thing. Story continues in X-Factor #109.

Synopsis

Rogue can tell that something is on Iceman's mind, as she looks out at a very intricately sculpted ice feature. Iceman admits that he rues his relationship with his father and that he is beginning to buy into the notion that he has slacked his whole life.

Inside Xavier's Institute, the Professor dreams that he is in the Israeli desert. Magneto is there and the two reminisce about life and how different things would have been if Magneto had not gotten in the way.

Iceman schedules a dinner with his parents and Rogue offers to drive him. The two clash over Rogue's relationship with Gambit and she begins to see Iceman's point that Gambit is not all that truthful with her. They are interrupted at the Drake household by Mr. Drake, who accuses them of making out. Mrs. Drake invites everyone in for dinner.

In the Starlight Room in New York, Psylocke fulfills a lifelong dream to sing in front of a crowd. She and Archangel exit the room to applause. On a balcony, he admits that he has feelings for her. Psylocke feels the same way and the two fly off together into the night.

Dinner at the Drake house is not going well, as Mr. Drake brings up one of Iceman's old girlfriends, Opal (whom he call "Topal"). Rogue wonders if they should leave, but an argument breaks out between the two men that needs to run its course. At the end of it all, Mr. Drake can't seem to stand mutants. Iceman storms out of the house while Rogue quietly exits.

In his dream, the Professor and Magneto continue discussing life without Magneto. Magneto urges the Professor to contemplate a world in which peace is possible because he is not around to taint the Professor's endeavors. Xavier refuses to believe this. The men are separated by the appearance of Legion, the Professor's son.

Archangel and Psylocke land on a rooftop for a quick dance. They decide to be in love, or, rather, that they will allow themselves to feel what they have been suppressing. They kiss and promise to be there for each other.

On a beach, Iceman wonders where he got his moral compass, as it clearly did not come from his bigot father. He finishes a sand castle with Rogue before they head back home.

Answering a psionic call for help, Beast awakens the Professor from his dream. Xavier informs Beast that Legion must be awake from his coma with a healed mind. This alarms the Professor, as no one knows the extent of Legion's powers, especially now that Legion may be focusing all his endeavors on an unknown project.

While battling Legion in the Negev Desert, the X-Men are transported back in time!

Continued from X-Factor #109. Legion is in Israel and is sane. That's a bad thing because he is ten times more powerful than his father Professor X and his actions seem to be quite hostile. The X-Men, PLO, and Israeli armies attempt to stop him but can't phase him. He takes Storm back in time to Egypt and forces her to watch the plane that killed her mother crash into her building. The X-Men try to pump Bishop full of energy to take on Legion, but instead the team anchors themselves and all are taken with Legion back in time to where he intends to help make Xavier's dream become a reality. In the Shi'ar Empire, Jahf the Watcher delivers a cryptic message to Lilandra: the end of all that is. Story continues in X-Men #40.

Synopsis

In the Israeli desert, Storm, Psylocke, Iceman, Bishop, and Jean Grey attempt to confront Legion, but the boy acts as if they are invisible. Storm summons the strongest storm of her life to no effect. Bishop is unable to absorb any of Legion's bounteous energy, and the others are left unable to do a single thing.

Flashback: The five arrive in Israel to a welcome party of Israeli and Palestinian soldiers. Gabrielle Haller quickly briefs the team on Legion's awakening and apparently healed mind. The local militaries have been useless against Legion's increased powers, which seem to be focused in a dark dome in the desert. Owing their lives to Legion's father, Charles Xavier, the mutants head out to face Legion head on.

In the present, Legion finally decides to pay attention to Storm. He funnels his powers and takes Storm into the past, to the very moment where Storm's mother dies. He informs her that his powers are now sufficient that he can play with time at his very whim. He goads her into thinking she can save her mother. Legion, of course, doesn't permit this to happen, as he zaps the two back into the present. Soberly, Legion explains that he is going to use this power to go back to "mutantkind's most critical moment". Bishop attacks and absorbs what energy he can, but is quickly repelled. He was enough of a distraction, however, that Jean and Iceman get a hit in. The team wonders at his last words...

Flashback: As the five fly out to meet Legion in the desert, he wrecks their ship and informs them that he is a singular personality who is going to fortify mutantkind's foundation.

In the present, Storm realizes that Legion must be talking about going back in time to ensure Charles Xaviers's dream becomes a reality. She orders Psylocke to link to Legion's mind by going through the energy Bishop has absorbed. The link is made and Storm accompanies Psylocke, Bishop, and Iceman through the time vortex created by Legion. Jean is weak and left along. She sends out a faint distress signal to Professor Xavier.

On Chandilar in the Shi'ar Empire, Lilandra rests for the first time in a while. This sleep is interrupted, however, by Jahf. He informs her that the M'Kraan Crystal, the nexus of all realities, is in danger due to the impending "all that is".

Jean and Cable must use an amplifying machine to send a message to the X-Men in the past and warn them of coming danger.

Story continued from X-Men #40. In the past, Magneto and Xavier discuss the theoried "homo-superior" in a bar before protecting a crippled performer and partaking in an old fashioned bar fight. In the present, Xavier and Jean Grey get hooked up to a Shi'ar machine that will allow them to channel Cable through time in order to alert the time-lost X-Men to the threat Legion poses to the universe. Back in the past, Cable finds the X-Men and tries to trigger their memories. And, at the hospital, Xavier and Magneto run into Legion, who promises death to Magneto. Continues in Cable #20.

Synopsis

Twenty years in the past, a young Charles Xavier and Magneto amicably discuss their differing views on where a rumored "homo superior" would fit in the world. Their friendship is cemented when some bar punks begin picking on a crippled man. The two take some licks but eventually beat up the fourteen trouble-makers.

In the present, Professor Xavier, Jean Grey, and Cable are hooked up to a Shi'ar machine that should allow Cable's psyche to travel into the Professor's past while Jean holds all the pieces together. The machine is turned on and a huge, brilliant beam of light lets all know that at least something is happening.

Back in the past, it has been three weeks since Storm, Psylocke, Iceman, and Bishop followed Legion into Israel. Three weeks and they still don't know exactly who they are beyond their names and an idea that they have powers. Bishop grows impatient with Psylocke, who is trying to probe Storm's mind for answers while Bishop and Iceman work. He heads back to work but is confronted by a blinding flash of light. It is Cable and the chronally displaced mutants - not recognizing their friend from their future - try to attack his astral form. Cable expels a large amount of energy with the charge to "Remember" and is gone in a flash. The four mutants collapse.

Meanwhile, Xavier and Magneto discuss their future plans and Charles just can't see a future without Gabrielle Haller. He decides to tell her of his true feelings and the two men head towards the hospital. Unbeknownst to them, Legion seems to have learned a bit more about his purpose for being in the past and approaches Gabrielle, his mother. He takes on the form and Charles Xavier and apparently seduces her, which puts her in distress. Charles senses this and the two men run and find Gabrielle in a state of shock. Legion reveals himself and explains that he is going to kill Magneto.