The X-Men have been roped in to helping stop Moses
Magnum from sinking Japan. Storm flies Nightcrawler above his island base,
before Nightcrawler teleports to the top of the base. He takes out a guard and
makes his way inside while reminiscing about how the X-Men have been dragged
into saving the world yet again. In flashback, we see Japan’s prime minster
briefing the X-Men on the situation. Moses Magnum has issued an ultimatum, to
be handed over sole control of Japan, lest he sink it with his mysterious doomsday
weapon, capable of just that. Nightcrawler radios Misty Knight, telling her
that everything is alright so far, and she then signals Storm and Banshee to
distract the base’s external sensors from the air.
While Storm and Banshee act as distractions, Cyclops
and Sunfire tunnel underneath the seabed with the others, waiting for
Nightcrawler’s signal, so they know just where to tunnel up and into the base.
They receive the signal and blast a tunnel right into Magnum’s base. However,
Magnum is waiting for them, having already taken out Nightcrawler, and he
punches Colossus straight through to the outside. Colossus skids along the
ground, digging his hands into the earth, and managing to just stop
himself from going over the edge and into the ocean. Feeling as if he hasn’t
been contributing much to the team lately, and with this only reinforcing that,
Colossus vows to start earning his keep! Inside, the battle continues to go
poorly for the X-Men, as Magnum takes out Wolverine!
Cyclops sends Sunfire to signal Storm and Banshee to
come inside to help, as Magnum reveals his new and improved Mandroids! Making
good on his promise, Colossus jumps in and completely trashes the Mandroids,
throwing them around with little effort. Magnum runs to activate his doomsday
weapon, firing a huge beam of energy straight down to cause an enormous
earthquake that will completely level Japan! Banshee orders Cyclops to get
everyone else out as he flies outside, knowing he’s the only one who can stop the
beam. Banshee counters Magnum’s weapon with a wall of sound, pushing his powers
to their limits, until the entire base explodes! A full day later, Misty Knight
finally finds the X-Men safe and sound but with Banshee definitely worse for
wear.
Cut to ten days later, and Banshee is returning from
his stay in the hospital, with things having been touch and go for days,
revealing that he almost died. He’s disappointed that none of the X-Men came to
see him home, until he flicks on the light to reveal that they were waiting to
surprise him with a Christmas party to welcome him back! Wolverine heads off to
see Mariko, while Storm reflects on how close the X-Men have become in the time
they’ve known each other, and Colossus admits to feeling a bit homesick.
Meanwhile, in Edinburgh, we see Jean Grey arrive after a long vacation, where
she’s greeted by Moira MacTaggert, Havok, Polaris, and Multiple Man. They plan
to celebrate Christmas together, as Moira figures that Muir Isle will be
alright in the meantime. However, we see that MacWhirter, the bitter old boat
captain that crossed paths with the X-Men before (in UXM #104), has plans to
break in and wreck the place. He makes his way inside, before being attacked by
an unseen force, not even having enough time to scream! To be continued!