The X-Men are finally home after their harrowing
adventure in space, where Charles Xavier invites Lilandra to make the school
her home as well. Each of the X-Men go off to decompress in their own ways.
Storm makes a beeline for her garden in the attic, giving her plants some much
needed watering, before deciding to join in the shower herself. Jean Grey
realizes she needs to tell her parents about everything that has happened
recently, as her thoughts drift back. After escaping the M’Kraan Crystal, Lilandra
stopped Gladiator and the other Imperial Guard from killing the X-Men, before
being told that the matter of her banishment needs to be ironed out, given
time. Meanwhile, Corsair persuades Jean not to tell Cyclops the truth that he
is Scott’s father, feeling things are better this way.
Back in the present, Jean goes off to talk with her
parents, leaving Scott to worry about when Jean and he will talk, feeling
things have changed so much. When Scott asks Moira MacTaggert about his
brother, Moira tells Scott that Alex and Lorna Dane decided to stay at Muir
Island for a while, to get over their brainwashing. Meanwhile, a mysterious
system seems to be tracking one of the X-Men! Back at the mansion, Nightcrawler
calls up his girlfriend, Amanda, and arranges a date, before teleporting into Colossus’
room and suggesting they double date with Amanda’s friend. Colossus informs
Kurt that he’s already agreed to go on a picnic with Moira and Banshee, telling
Nightcrawler to relay the news. Kurt teleports once more downstairs, coming
upon Scott deep in thought. Scott’s watching as Jean shows her parents her
transformation into Phoenix, while sulking that everything seems to be going
poorly for him. Kurt tries to get through to Scott, telling him that he can’t
tear himself apart every time he feels he’s been shafted, and must accept
things for what they are.
Banshee comes along to invite both of them to the
picnic, and while Nightcrawler worries he was too harsh on Scott, Scott admits
that he now has a lot to think about and declines the offer. Banshee, Moira,
Colossus, and Storm get ready for their picnic, when Wolverine says he’s coming
along as well, itching to do some hunting. Storm derides him for his senseless
killing of animals, and Wolverine clarifies that it has nothing to do with
killing, showing that there’s more to him than meets the eye. Meanwhile, those
tracking Wolverine are closing in on their target. When Wolverine is out
hunting a deer, he’s suddenly ambushed by his old friend, James Hudson, calling
himself Weapon Alpha. Hudson wants to take Wolverine back to Department H,
where Xavier first found him, and Wolverine objects, fighting back against
Hudson, who’s equipped with a powerful suit.
At the picnic, Sean and Moira play around in the pond,
while a clearly homesick Colossus tells Storm about his homeland. It’s at that
moment that an unconscious Wolverine comes flying through the trees. Colossus
comes between Wolverine and Hudson, knocking Hudson clear through the forest.
Hudson shoots an energy beam, which bounces off Colossus, hitting Moira! This
sends Banshee into a rage, as he barrels down on Hudson. Storm flies up to help
as well, as Hudson decides to make a strategic retreat, knowing he can’t take
on the whole team at once. He makes his escape, and a disgruntled Wolverine
confirms that this is only the beginning, and that things will only get worse
from here on out.