Uncanny X-Men, The (1981 series) #201

The X-Men return from Paris to discover that Madelyne has had her baby; she and Cyclops are now parents! The various members marvel at the wonders of new life and Nightcrawler jokes that the baby will be just fine taking after him. Rachel tips the chair Kurt’s on over causing him to retaliate by mercilessly tickling her, as everyone else looks on in amusement. Madelyne hands her new baby to Kitty so that she can talk to Storm in private. Madelyne asks about Professor Xavier and Storm confirms that it seems he won’t be coming back. Madelyne then vents her frustrations, having had to give birth alone at the mansion, as well as how distant Scott has been lately. When the X-Men were in Paris, practically everyone else called to check up on her, except her husband. Meanwhile, Rachel starts to bond with her new sibling (still unbeknownst to Scott) and Kitty points out that she should tell him the truth soon. Outside, Scott has his own worries, wondering why the Professor isn’t here to celebrate this milestone with him, while still worried that Magneto can’t be trusted.

Speaking of Professor Xavier, we find him deep in space, aboard the Starjammers’ ship. After beaming him up in order to save his life last issue, Corsair reveals that they don’t have the power to send him back to Earth! And with their ship currently damaged and on the run, they may never be able to get him back to Earth! Xavier reflects on all of this with Lilandra, worried for his various students. Deciding they can only worry about what is right now, Xavier decides to make the best of things and stay in space with Lilandra. Back at the school, life goes on as usual. Cannonball faces problems writing a term paper and the X-Men decide to play some baseball outside. Nightcrawler discusses with Wolverine the issues that seem to be going on with Scott, wondering how it’s going to affect the team. Colossus ends up hitting a ball high into the sky causing Rogue to have to fly way up to catch it. She snags it just before it hits Air Force One, leaving a cheeky kiss on the window for the President!

Later, Scott and Madelyne end up borrowing Storm’s attic to sort through a domestic fight. Scott is adamant he needs to stay and lead the team and Madelyne can’t fathom why, especially with their new baby. Madelyne posits that he’s afraid that the X-Men no longer need him, his entire sense of self-worth having been tied to the team for so long. She says that her commitment to him supersedes everything else and when she asks if the same holds true for him…Scott has no answer. Storm says that a decision must be made and suggests a duel between herself and Scott to determine who gets to lead the X-Men moving forward. Cyclops and Storm then kick Magneto and the New Mutants out of the Danger Room so they can have their duel, while everyone else piles into the command room to watch.

After a holographic area is constructed, the duel begins and Cyclops takes the offensive, wanting to end it quickly. Storm ducks behind some cover and is able to take Cyclops by surprise momentarily before he drives her off again. In the command room, Wolverine is clearly rooting for Storm, pointing out that Scott’s heart really isn’t in it anymore. While the duel goes on, Madelyne sits with her baby, hoping that her husband loses so he won’t have any reason to stay. Back in the Danger Room, the duel ends when Storm is able to snag Cyclops’ visor, leaving him effectively helpless without hurting everyone. Storm is declared the winner and Cyclops congratulates her, while inside he feels utterly crushed, realizing there’s truly no place for him there anymore. In an epilogue, Rachel visits her grandparents’ house in the dead of night. She adds some of her own essence to the Matrix Crystal of Jean that was given to them by the Shi’ar. On the moon, something happens at the spot where Jean Grey sacrificed herself all those years ago and the Watcher looks on with fascination! Rachel leaves the crystal with her grandparents, hoping she’ll be remembered as she sets out to try and slay the Beyonder!