Juggernaut, possessed by Kuurth, Breaker of Stone, continues on his way
to San Francisco. The X-Men’s latest plan to stop him: Cyclops brings in
Avalanche to create a chasm across the highway but as Juggy steps out on the
over space, a magical support appears beneath his feet, taking him across….
As anti-mutant protestors rally outside, Cyclops meets again
with Mayor Sadie Sinclair and explains that they are exploring magical
solutions. He notes that they have had too many casualties, thinking of Emma
Frost and Hope Summers. As they leave her office, talking about Juggernaut’s
ultimatum, a bystander draws a gun and tries to shoot Scott, who takes the man
down with some martial arts moves. He notes to the Mayor, “I’m used to it.”
At the X-Ward in Utopia, a voice enters Emma Frost’s head appearing
to be the Phoenix Force, telling her that Scott always loves Jean Grey and
always will but she can eliminate her, now inhabiting the body of Hope Summers….
Cyclops, Kitty Pryde, and Colossus visit the X-Brig where
Magik is imprisoned and guarded by Danger; they appeal to her for help and she
has the inkling of an idea but she would need to be freed from her cell….
Meanwhile, Face, Karma, Pixie, and
Rogue attempt to stop Juggernaut and fail….
Magik is given limited release, her
exploding harness still in place but she has been limited as to where she can
open a portal. She draws a magic circle in the desert, steps inside with Piotr
and Kitty, and vanishes…
…to appear in the presence of the Crimson
Demon Cyttorak. He is hostile but Illyana explains that his avatar, Cain Marko,
has betrayed him….
The hypnotized Emma Frost prepares
to smother Hope Summers with a pillow….
Meanwhile, Mercury, Psylocke, Boom-Boom, and Adam X attempt to stop Juggernaut and fail….
Illyana shows Cyttorak that Juggy now serves the Serpent.
Cyttorak removes his power from Juggernaut, then announces he will need a new
avatar. He holds out a red gem and asks Illyana to touch it and be imbued with
power. She steps forward….
Meanwhile, Siryn, Dazzler,
Rockslide, Gambit, Cecilia Reyes, and Magneto attempt to stop Juggernaut and
fail….
Mayor Sadie Sinclair meets with her
military advisor. He notes that, with the X-Men deployed elsewhere, it would be
easy to attack Utopia and destroy it. Sinclair doesn’t want to hear it. He
notes that she has had a good relationship with the mutants but they need to be
prepared, just in case. She gives a guarded okay but insists it must be a final
option. But Danger has a tiny spy drone in the room and she reports to Scott
that Sinclair is preparing to attack Utopia. Scott orders that the X-Men leave
off fighting Juggernaut and return to protect Utopia and that he will talk to
Juggy about the ultimatum….
Colossus hold Magik back and
instead, he steps forth to touch Cyttorak’s gem. Kitty shouts, “Don’t destroy
the man I love!” But Piotr responds, “Too late” as he is transformed into
another Juggernaut….