Scott Summers and Lee Forrester explore the mysterious
city that popped up out of nowhere at the end of last issue. Lee attempts to
take advantage of the shelter and makes a move on Scott, but he rejects her
advances, stating that it’s too soon for involvement again after Jean. Lee runs
off in tears and frustration, only wanting warmth and comfort, not asking for
any involvement. Scott, now alone and feeling like a major tool, stumbles
around before tripping over a rock. He lets loose his optic blasts to the sky
in frustration, before coming to his senses and replacing his blindfold. Lee
returns and the two embrace, realizing that they need each other during this
uncertain time. Meanwhile, on the grounds of the Xavier mansion, Wolverine and
Nightcrawler engage in an impromptu training session. Nightcrawler skulks
through the trees while Wolverine tracks him from the ground. All of a sudden,
Wolverine seems to disappear! When Nightcrawler teleports down to investigate,
Wolverine surprises and stuns him, winning their little duel, and stating that
Kurt owes him yet another case of beer!
Inside the mansion, Angel is in a heated debate with
Professor X and Moira MacTaggert. Angel argues that Wolverine is just as much
of a danger to the team as to the those they face. Storm joins the argument,
stating that they should not just give up on Wolverine, but Angel flies out in
a huff, stating that he won’t be a part of any team that includes Wolverine! In
the hangar, Banshee and Colossus work on the X-Men’s blackbird jet, while
Colossus’ sister, Illyana Rasputin watches. Illyana wonders if she could be a
mutant too, before Nightcrawler teleports in to inform Banshee that Professor
Xavier wants to see him. Banshee enters the mansion to find a young woman named
Theresa Rourke waiting for him with a letter. The letter informs Sean that
Theresa is the daughter he never knew he had, from his first marriage shortly
before his wife’s death! A joyous moment is had by all as father and daughter
are united, aside from Moira, who excuses herself outside. She confides in
Storm that she feels a bit jealous, that Theresa will steal Sean’s attention
away from her, and Ororo admits that she feels similarly about Stevie Hunter,
Kitty’s dance teacher.
Some time later, a mysterious, shadowy figure calling
himself Caliban makes his way out of the sewers, feeling lonely and sensing
others like him in a nearby building. Those others turn out to be Kitty Pryde,
Storm, Stevie Hunter, and Spider-Woman, guests invited to see Dazzler perform
at the nightclub atop the skyscraper. Caliban enters the ground floor, and the
guards react in fear, causing Caliban to lash out before he runs to try and
make his way to the other mutants he senses, hoping they will understand.
Dazzler’s performance begins and the others hear screams as Caliban makes his
way up the skyscraper. Kitty phases down through the floor to see what all the
commotion is about, and Dazzler creates a blinding distraction, allowing Storm
and Spider-Woman to slip out as well. Kitty comes upon Caliban and is
immediately grabbed by him, while Storm and Spider-Woman come to her rescue.
Caliban fights back and makes his way down the
elevator shaft with the fainted Kitty, wanting her to return to the sewers with
him, as his friend. Storm and Spider-Woman follow Caliban once again, catching
up with him right as he exits the building. They overpower him, and he
surrenders, stating that he only wanted friends, hoping the others he sensed
like him would ease his lonliness. They realize he’s a mutant and offer to help
him, but Caliban slips away into the sewers again when they hear sirens approaching.
Later, back in the club, the group gathers and wishes they could have helped
Caliban more, realizing that each of them could have turned out like him, had
Professor Xavier not found them. Kitty makes her own realization from this
little debacle, that she’s been treating Nightcrawler badly simply because of
how he looks and determines to start trying to make amends. Meanwhile, Scott
and Lee try to make the most of their situation before they are found by the
lone occupant of the mysterious city. Dread washes over Scott as he realizes
that the master of this city is none other than Magneto, hoping against hope
that he isn’t recognized, so far from help or civilization! To be continued!