Synopsis / Summary / Plot
In the dungeons of Kulan Gath, Spider-Man is being tortured to provide blood for the evil sorcerer, while Selene’s mouth and hands have been removed to prevent her casting spells to interfere with Kulan Gath’s schemes to remake the entire world in his image. The rebels, led by the former Captain America, come upon a ruined temple (once the New York Public Library) where the priestesses have been slain. The group is attacked by Kulan Gath’s guards—the New Mutants, joined by Scarlet Witch and Vision. In the melee Rogue, Wolfsbane, and Cannonball are killed, Wasp and Starfox captured; Warlock carries off Ororo to save her and the rest escape by means of Rachel’s and Magyk’s powers. Later, Cap leads a group of rebels into the palace by means of Rachel’s hypnosis and Arilynn the temple archivist leads the others through the tunnels below. The underground team is attacked by guards and in the battle several of the New Mutants are released from the villain’s spell by means of Magyk’s Soul-Sword. Upstairs, Cap’s party comes upon the crucified Spider-Man and is attacked by Scarlet Witch, Vision and others. In this fight, Vision and Colossus are killed and Cap critically wounded. As the battle goes against the rebels, the dying Spidey tears himself of the cross to come to their aid but Kulan Gath ends his life with a word. In the rafters, Ororo and Warlock appear, swooping down to seize the evil wizard’s necklace, the source of his power, only to see it snatched away by Amara, who was Selene in disguise all along (having sent the real Amara disguised as the sorceress into Kulan Gath’s clutches). Ororo merges with the dying Warlock and turns Selene into an inert techno-organic creature. Freed, Dr Strange joins Magyk in reversing time to the moment before the spell that captured the city was cast, returning all to normal, meaning that no one on Earth will remember any of it. Captain America thanks the X-Men for their heroism and they go their separate ways. In an epilogue, the android Nimrod comes to Earth and prevents the murder of Jaime Rodriguez, causing Kulan Gath’s necklace to be lost and ensuring the wizard is not freed from his ancient imprisonment. Nimrod observes the anti-mutant sentiment in this society and decides that his mission is to exterminate the mutant menace.