Near Yellowstone, Storm and Naze make the final leg
toward Forge’s location. Naze clarifies that the Adversary plans to use Forge
to open a portal to another dimension and snuff out every living thing and
remake it all to suit his whims. They reach Forge’s Aerie, a mountain that is
the source and heart of his magic. Naze then says that he can’t get any closer,
that Forge’s mystical defenses will be attuned to him, but that Storm will be
able to sneak through on her own. The two say farewell and Naze gives Storm a
kiss, his smile turning sinister once Storm departs. Meanwhile, in San
Francisco, Val Cooper holds a press conference to publicly introduce Freedom
Force, billing them as the Government’s very own mutant strike force. Using
Freedom Force, in conjunction with the newly passed Mutant Registration Act,
she plans to end mutant vigilantism and force them to register. Questions are
raised as to the civil liberties this could impact as well as the fact that
Freedom Force is comprised of criminals, but Val says the good of regular
humans is well worth it.
At a nearby gym, Rogue works out while watching the
press conference, none too pleased at Val Cooper’s words. Some time later,
Rogue is approached by a strange woman who turns out to be Mystique. Mystique
warns Rogue about Destiny’s vision that the X-Men are going to die and urges
her to return with her. Rogue, however, chooses to stand by her friends and
teammates, come what may, which deeply hurts Mystique. Elsewhere, Dazzler is
performing a small show at a club and uses her powers to enhance the effects!
The crowd eats it up and Dazzler feels as elated as she always does when she
performs but Wolverine points out that it may not have been the safest move if
they’re trying to lay low. Elsewhere still, Havok and Longshot have just
finished seeing a movie when they come upon a group of men attempting to kidnap
a woman. Longshot pops the tires of their getaway car and scoops the girl up,
while Havok casually obliterates the car once the men are clear of it.
Lieutenant Morrell arrives due to the commotion but also takes the opportunity
to warn the X-Men that Freedom Force is looking to hunt them down.
Later, once the X-Men have all regrouped at Alcatraz,
Havok relays about Freedom Force while Rogue tells everyone about Destiny’s
vision. According to Destiny, Storm is the key to everything, prompting
Wolverine to decide to go search for her regardless of what Destiny says is
coming. The others each confirm they have no intention of running and plan to
go with Wolverine, no matter what happens. Madelyne elects to go too, and
though Wolverine initially refuses to let her, Havok says he’ll watch over her.
As they set off to find Storm, Psylocke tries reaching out telepathically just
on the chance she may be in range. Back in Wyoming, Storm feels the faintest
whisper of Psylocke’s probe as she ascends Forge’s mountain. The higher she
gets, the weirder the surroundings get, as black lightning arcs through the
sky. Storm is then descended upon by a swarm of winged demonic creatures but
they end up passing right through her, and she wonders if perhaps it’s because
Forge’s defenses are not attuned to her.
She nearly reaches the top and spots Forge at the
summit with a portal to another dimension in the sky above him. Storm is then
attacked by hordes of demonic creatures and she fights back as brutally and as
best she can! She slashes and dodges as she ascends ever higher, all the while
assuming Forge is toying with her. She stands her ground at the top of the
mountain, slashing and fighting with all her might, until all the demons fall
before her! She finally reaches Forge who is surprised to see her, even more so
when she quickly and mercilessly stabs him! Forge then reveals that contrary to
what Naze said, he’s been trying to close the gateway and save the world, not
end it. Storm realizes she’s been tricked as the demons begin to surround them
once more. The two of them are then sucked up into the portal and vanish in a
huge flash of light! Naze then arrives and destroys Forge’s Aerie, revealing
himself as the Adversary and proclaiming that the world is now his! To be
continued!
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