After Cerebro detected two new mutants last issue,
half the team went to Chicago leaving the rest to check out the New York-based
mutant. The trio of Cyclops, Phoenix, and Nightcrawler pull up outside a shady
disco club on Delano Street, in the heart of one of lower Manhattan’s worse
neighborhoods. Unbeknownst to them, their every move is being watched by the
Hellfire Club, with detailed intel on their powers and weaknesses. Nightcrawler
waits outside to keep watch while Cyclops and Phoenix head into the club, each
scanning for the new mutant, Phoenix with her telepathy and Cyclops with the
micro-Cerebro built into his watch. We then switch locations to fifth avenue,
and the headquarters of the Hellfire Club. On the surface, they’re a
distinguished gentlemen’s club, with a secret inner circle who use the Club as
a means of gaining power, led by Sebastian Shaw. Shaw is notified of the
X-Men’s current whereabouts, while Jason Wyngarde warns not to underestimate
them. He then heads out to continue his mission of enthralling Jean Grey in his
own unique way.
Shaw then receives a video call from Chicago, where
Emma Frost, the White Queen, shows off her fruitful side of their mission. She
has Professor X under sedation, while Colossus, Wolverine, and Storm are each
trapped in cages that nullify their powers and dull their minds. Unknown to
Emma, she has another guest, as Kitty Pryde phases through the wall behind some
cover to survey the situation. Wanting to help in any way she can, Kitty sneaks
up to the cage holding Storm and makes her presence known. Storm gives Kitty a
tag from her uniform that the Hellfire Club missed when searching her and tells
Kitty to call the number on it to reach the other X-Men for help. Kitty is
spotted by the guards and runs, diving through the floor to the level below,
before Emma Frost orders the entire complex be shut down to find her.
Back at the disco club, Jean has no luck finding the
new mutant, when she is suddenly approached by Jason Wyngarde once more, much
to her surprise! No sooner does this happen, then she experiences what she
believes to be another time-shift, as she finds herself 200 years in the past,
about to marry a man that looks just like Wyngarde! The two are wed and
Wyngarde reveals “Lady Jean Grey” as the Hellfire Club’s new Black Queen, as
the two kiss in a passionate embrace! Jean suddenly snaps out of it to find herself
in the present kissing this Wyngarde, much to Scott’s confusion! Before
Jean can even begin to explain, as she has no idea what’s been happening
either, the announcer introduces the start of the main show and presents the
star of the evening, Dazzler! She begins her performance, when Cyclops’
micro-Cerebro goes off, signifying that Dazzler is indeed the mutant they’re
looking for!
Meanwhile outside, a call comes in on the car phone
and Nightcrawler answers, hearing Kitty panickedly tell him that the other X-Men
have been captured and that she’s running for her life! Before he can get any
more information, Nightcrawler is ambushed by one of the Hellfire Club’s
armored henchmen, who is just as prepared for Nightcrawler as the Chicago group
was for their targets. Two more crash through the ceiling of the club, equally
prepared for Cyclops and Phoenix, with Cyclops even noting that their countermeasures
are exactly like the ones used in the Danger Room! Dazzler helps out, blasting
one of the henchmen, allowing Phoenix and Cyclops to turn the tides on their
attackers. After Nightcrawler and the third henchmen come crashing through the
roof as well, they finish off the last goon and Nightcrawler explains the
situation going on in Chicago. They explain to Dazzler that she’s a mutant and
she decides to stick with them for now as they head off to Chicago to rescue
the other half of the team. As they speed down the street, they pass Jason
Wyngarde on the corner. Cyclops notes his shadow thrown across the wall behind
him but doesn’t register who he really is, and by the time he may later, it
will already be too late! To be continued!