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The Uncanny X-Men #188 - Legacy of the Lost

COMING SOON

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The Uncanny X-Men #187 - Wraithkill!

Ororo leaves Forge's home and it's a torrential downpour of rain outside. She can barely see. Behind her, entering Forge's building, is a group of people led by a woman named Inspector Mathis of the FBI. Mathis tells a guard in the building that she's been sent here to protect Forge. The guard is thankful, but then the woman transforms. She's a Dire Wraith! She stabs the guard's head with her sharp tongue and turns him to dust while she transforms into him. The Wraith tells all the other Wraiths that she will shut down the security systems in the building. The other Wraiths go to find Forge.

Outside, another Dire Wraith appears in front of Ororo. It tries to stab her! She fights back, of course, and then runs back to Forge's building seeking shelter. The Dire Wraith chases after her. Inside, Ororo grabs the now-dust guard's gun from the floor, turns around, and shoots the Dire Wraith until she's out of ammo. The Wraith is injured, but keeps moving towards Ororo. Another blast hits the Wraith. Ororo turns around to see Naze (see issue #184 for his brief appearance). Naze has shot the Wraith with a big gun.

Ororo and Naze rush upstairs to rescue Forge from the other Dire Wraiths. And it's not easy - Naze and Ororo battle a few more Wraiths and their pet Hellhounds (the Wraiths transformed dogs on earth into Hellhounds, I think?), a strange indoor blizzard on one of the upper floors, and a powerful psychic attack that temporarily ties together Ororo and Forge in a psychic rapport. What is going on?!

Ororo finally finds Forge and they battle several more Wraiths. Some Wraiths were invisible, but Ororo still senses their presence, which surprises Forge. Another Wraith transforms itself into a copy of Ororo, but it doesn't fool Forge and he shoots the real Wraith.

Suddenly the roof explodes and Rogue and Colossus jump in to help. Rogue says she had a talk with Valerie Cooper to find out where Ororo was. And luckily the X-Men arrived when they did because WOW. There are a TON a Wraiths in the building now. Or at least, it looks like it. Forge believes the Wraiths are projecting an illusion and there are actually far fewer of them. Forge projects his own illusion of the Wraiths' arch enemies, Rom and Starshine. The Wraiths focus all their attacks on Forge's illusions, allowing the X-Men to easily defeat the remaining Wraiths.

But then, in a corner of the room a strange black hole appears. Then the hole has eyes and a hand. It's a tear in the fabric of reality, and all these shadowy being start pouring through it. The beings grab the X-Men!

#dire wraiths #storm #forge #naze

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The Uncanny X-Men #186 - Lifedeath

Storm is extremely depressed. She's just lying in bed, staring blankly. Forge cares for her, bringing her soup and tea. They're at his building in Dallas, Texas. Storm doesn't want to live anymore without her powers. She says she wishes Forge wouldn't have saved her from the river and just let her drown (see last ish). So sad! Forge watches video of Storm (not sure where the video is coming from...) and he says she is beautiful.

At Xavier's mansion, the Professor searches for Storm using Cerebro but he is unable to find her. He searches for Rogue next.

In Dallas, Storm asks if Rogue has been found. Forge says Gyrich is searching for her, but has not located her yet. Forge asks why Storm is with Rogue, a member of the Brotherhood. Storm says Rogue is no longer with the Brotherhood. They discuss an approaching storm and Storm gets upset about losing her powers. She says she used to be able to fly; Forge says now she has to walk like everyone else. He immediately regrets sounding harsh.

Storm and Forge go swimming in his pool. Storm realizes that Forge is missing one leg and one hand, and they have been replaced with metal, robotic ones that Forge built. He explains that he lost his leg and hand in Vietnam.

Back in Caldecott County, Mississippi, Dr. Cooper and another federal agent, Phil Rosen, discuss the search for Rogue. Dr. Cooper says Gyrich said he will deal with Storm. They say goodbye, and Rosen heads to his car, and then -

HUMAN!

A Dire Wraith stabs Rosen with a tentacle and melts (?) the agent's body. The Wraith transforms into a look-alike of Rosen, then calls more Wraiths out of the shadows. The Rosen-Wraith says "the female awaits." The Wraiths all go back to Dr. Cooper and try to melt her too. But then Rogue shows up! Rogue starts beating all the Wraiths up, throwing them into cars, through walls, etc. Dr. Cooper shoots holds a gun to the Rosen-Wraith's head and asks what it wants from her. It refuses to answer, and says that eventually the Wraiths will take over the earth. Dr. Cooper shoots it in the head. Rogue accidentally absorbs the Wraith's memories and abilities during the fight. She can't tell which part of herself is actually herself and which part is the Wraith.

Suddenly, Professor Xavier connects with Rogue through Cerebro. The Wraith has some psychic abilities because it's attacking the Professor mentally. Nightcrawler asks for the coordinates.

Dr. Cooper rushes back to Rosen's car and gets in. But Rogue is in the backseat, and she grabs Dr. Cooper's face, absorbing her memories. Rogue learns about Forge and his inventions, and that initially Dr. Cooper and Gyrich were trying to use Forge's neutralizer on Rogue, not Storm. Dr. Cooper is unconscious. Rogue rushes off, saying she has to talk to the Professor and get the X-Men's help.

At Forge's house, he and Storm have dinner and champagne together. There's lots of flirting and intimate discussions about their pasts. Storm reveals that her childhood home in Africa was leveled by bombs. Her and her mother were buried in the rubble, and she watched her mother die. This is why Storm is afraid of enclosed spaces. They kiss. Forge tells Storm she is beautiful. She says the same about him.

Forge's phone rings and he answers. He says he needs to take the call to his office. Storm realizes she should've called Professor Xavier immediately after the incident in Mississippi. She grabs the phone, but Forge is still on it. Storm overhears Forge's conversation. He's talking to Gyrich! Gyrich wants Storm relocated to a federal facility. Forge says he wants to take care of Storm at his home instead. Gyrich says Forge is emotionally involved and Forge agrees - he's invested in Storm because he designed the neutralizer and is responsible for her losing her powers.

Storm is outraged to learn this. She tries to leave Forge's home, but ends up on the roof of the building. Forge runs after her and says he's not the enemy. She doesn't believe him. Forge says he invented the neutralizer for Gyrich, but that he can also invent something to reverse its effects. He says he is a mutant, and his ability is inventing. Storm says that working with Gyrich will lead to the destruction of mutants. Forge tries to comfort Storm and calm her, but she punches him in the face. He falls. Storm says her feet may never leave the ground, but she will fly again. She leaves.

#storm #forge #rogue #dire wraiths

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The Uncanny X-Men #185 - Public Enemy!

Washington, D.C.

At the Pentagon, Henry Gyrich gives a briefing about Rogue. He describes her abilities (strength, invulnerability, memory/thought/power absorption), and her involvement with the Brotherhood of Mutants and the X-Men. Gyrich says Rogue was involved in erasing the Pentagon's databanks on the X-Men - which was ACTUALLY done by Carol Danvers, see issue #158- and that she killed a SHIELD agent aboard their helicarrier - who was ACTUALLY killed by a Hellfire Club agent who was also aboard the helicarrier (see issue #182). Gyrich says an armorer named Forge has developed a weapon that neutralizes the powers of mutants. Gyrich shows off the weapon.

Raven Darkholme BURSTS into the room and she's furious that Gyrich knows about this top secret project and that he's actually holding the only functioning prototype of the weapon. (Remember everyone, Darkholme is also Mystique.) Dr. Valerie Cooper follows Darkholme into the room and says that Rogue is the perfect test case for the neutralizer weapon. Dr. Cooper says the President wants Rogue neutralized.

Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters

Storm interrupts a discussion between the Professor and Rachel. She says that Rogue is missing. They go to use Cerebro to try and find her, leaving Rachel alone in the Professor's office. Rachel finds a phone number for Scott Summers and calls it. Scott answers, but Rachel can't speak. Madelyne asks who it is, and Rachel hangs up. Rachel sobs as she says "Daddy! Mom!"

Washington, D.C.

Raven Darkholme enters the secret, sub-level complex of the Pentagon that she uses as the headquarters for her Brotherhood. She shape-shifts into Mystique. Irene, a precog aka Destiny, says Rogue is in danger. Mystique asks Irene what she should do, but Irene says her powers are jumbled, as if the "fabric of time itself has been rent asunder." As Raven Darkholme, she contacts Forge and explains what Dr. Cooper and Gyrich are doing. Forge is furious, takes off in his jet, and calls the President directly.

On a military plane above D.C., Gyrich explains to Dr. Cooper that the Avengers used a device to track Rogue in the past (see Avengers Annual #10) and that this is what they will use to find her too.

Caldecott County, Mississippi

Rogue relaxes by the Mississippi River. Storm approaches and asks to join her. (The Professor must've found Rogue with Cerebro.) They discuss how Rogue discovered her powers when she kissed a boy right at this spot by the river. Rogue says she still can't control her powers and she doesn't know where her loyalties lie - with the X-Men or Mystique's Brotherhood. Rogue says she'll always have to live as two people - herself and Carol Danvers. Storm offers to let Rogue absorb her memories and abilities in order to show Rogue that not every use of her powers must be an act of violence. Storm removes a glove and Rogue takes her hand. Storm collapses as Rogue absorbs her abilities. It's a beautiful moment - Rogue sees the world differently. She feels the sun and the wind and the water more than ever before. She practices using Storm's powers. She likes it. She goes to touch Storm again to absorb more before stopping and asking herself what she's doing.

ZAP!

Rogue is blasted by the neutralizer, but on a low setting. Federal officers approach, saying they have a warrant for Rogue's arrest. Rogue tries to fly away to lead the officers away from Storm, who is still on the ground, but she can't. Rogue realizes she can still control the elements, so she creates a huge hurricane with wind and lightning and she blows away the officers and their vehicles. But Rogue can't control Storm's powers and she accidentally hits a boat on the river and it starts sinking. Rogue feels terrible because there are innocent people on the boat, but there's nothing she can do. Luckily, Storm wakes up and she's able to stop the hurricane. They fly to the boat and pull it to shore with a rope.

In the meantime, Gyrich calibrates the neutralizer weapon for full power, saying it was a mistake to shoot Rogue with the weapon on a low setting. He aims at Rogue again. Forge arrives and tries to tackle Gyrich. But Forge is too late. Gyrich shoots. Storm pushes Rogue out of the way. Storm is hit by the neutralizer!

Storm discharges a huge bolt of lightning and her and Rogue drop into the river. Forge dives in. He finds Storm, but not Rogue. He pulls Storm ashore. He's FURIOUS that Gyrich shot the neutralizer. He says he has striped Storm of her powers and destroyed her. He says the X-Men have always fought for humanity and now Gyrich may have turned them from defenders to enemies.

Looking on are some weird alien creatures that call themselves Dire Wraiths. SHIELD agents had mentioned they were fighting against these Wraiths a couple issues back. The Wraiths say the neutralizer could lead to humanity discovering weaponry that will harm the wraiths and because of that, Forge must die!

#rogue #storm #henry peter gyrich #forge #dire wraiths

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The Uncanny X-Men #184 - The Past of Future Days

Dallas, Texas

Raven Darkholme and Dr. Valerie Cooper arrive at Forge's building. When they get to Forge's floor in the building, Forge is having an argument with a man named Naze. It's an argument about putting matters right before life itself unravels... sounds kinda important. But Forge says it's up to others to take his place now, and Naze says they've tried to find someone to take Forge's place but failed. Naze storms out and Forge greets Darkholme and Cooper.

Forge has been working on developing some new technology: one item can locate other beings, one can banish beings to "an other-dimensional limbo," and another item is a gun that neutralizes the power of any super-being. Forge says he doesn't know if its effects would be permanent or temporary. The last thing Forge is working on is a scanner that detects if a being is an alien or a mutant. He turns it on and says it's picking up a mutant in the room. Raven is initially very concerned her cover may be blown, but then Forge laughs and says it's because he is a mutant that the scanner was picking something up.

New York City

A woman with short, red hair watches on TV as the X-Men fight the giant dragon in Tokyo. The woman recognizes the X-Men, and notes that Storm looks much different than last time she saw her. The news on TV discusses the Mutant Affairs Control Act and the woman is shocked to learn that Senator Kelly introduced it because in her time, that Act was introduced after Senator Kelly was killed by a mutant. The woman says her time shift was successful, and that she's in the past, but she's unsure if it is "the right past." Selene, still in the city after the Colossus/Juggernaut fight last ish, detects this woman's power and is excited that she may have found "an heir."

Selene tracks down and tries to grab the woman, but the woman escapes and runs into a crowded bar. Security tries to throw her back out, but the owner overhears the woman talking about Selene trying to hurt her and he wants to help. He says his name is Nick and he asks for her name. She's Rachel. (This is Rachel from X-Men #141 and 142!) Nick offers to help Rachel, bringing her to his really cool apartment, giving her some food, and allowing her to relax in his hot tub. Rachel can telepathically tell that Nick truly wants to help her.

Bad thing is Selene has followed them and she kills Nick while Rachel is in the hot tub. Rachel gets out of the tub and finds Nick's body and Selene! A telekinetic/telepathic battle between Rachel and Selene ensues, but Selene is more powerful. The fight, accidentally sparks a huge fire, which Selene is able to control with her powers. Suddenly, Charles Xavier contacts Rachel, having been alerted by Cerebro of the presence of two powerful mutants in the area. Rachel asks Xavier for help.

Xavier has already sent Rogue, Nightcrawler and Colossus ahead. They arrive and try to save Rachel from Selene, but Selene is very powerful and the fire has gotten so out of control, the X-Men can hardly see through the smoke and flames. Selene grabs Rogue and Rogue feels her own energy being drained. Finally, a psychic attack from Xavier makes Selene flee the fight. Storm arrives and stops the fire with her rain and wind powers.

Later, Rachel explains that Selene is like a vampire and she is sustaining herself by draining the life-energy of others. She tells the Professor that she senses "psychic keys" in Selene's mind, just like the Professor taught her to sense. Xavier is confused, and asks when he ever taught Rachel. Then Rachel gets confused - why is the Professor walking? Why does Storm look so different? Rachel realizes she has traveled to "the wrong past" and now the world is doomed!

#forge #naze #rachel #selene

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The Uncanny X-Men #183 - He'll Never Make Me Cry

Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters

Peter and Kitty discuss their relationship. Peter says he met someone on the Beyonder's planet where the Secret Wars took place and fell in love with her (see the Secret Wars issues). Because of this, he breaks up with Kitty. He says he hopes they can remain friends. She says they are X-Men which is a bond that nothing can break. Kitty goes back to her room and cries. Illyana comforts her.

Rogue is practicing in the Danger Room, but it's a super difficult scenario and Storm shuts it down just before a Danger Room robot moves in to kill Rogue. Storm asks why Rogue would set up such a dangerous exercise and Rogue gets all angry and runs off saying she wants to be left alone. Storm expects that Rogue's attitude has something to do with what happened with Rossi (last ish).

Logan checks in with Peter and says it's time they have a talk. They get in a car and start driving away from the mansion, and Kurt teleports into the car. He wants to come too. Saturdays are for the boys!

Kitty tells Storm she is going away to visit her parents and she doesn't know when she'll come back. Storm asks if this is goodbye and Kitty says she wants it to be. Storm comforts Kitty as she cries.

Dallas, Texas

Dr. Valerie Cooper of the National Security Council and Raven Darkholme of the Defense Advanced Research Planning Agency leave the airport together and they discuss Senator Kelly's Mutant Affairs Bill. Dr. Cooper reiterates her idea to use mutants to fight enemies like the Soviets before those enemies do that to the US. Darkholme says mutants are born, and you can't rush that. Cooper agrees, and says there are other ways to fight enemies, and that's why they're on their way to visit a man named Forge...

Manhattan

The boys arrive at a bar downtown. Logan says Peter needs to apologize to Kitty. Peter says it's not a crime to fall in love with someone else and that he can't lie to Kitty and say he still has feelings for her. Suddenly Wolverine picks up a familiar scent. It's Cain Marko aka Juggernaut. And Peter accidentally spills his beer on Marko. It's on.

Juggernaut throws Peter outside, and all the bar patrons start running and screaming. Peter transforms into Colossus and there's punches, throws, everything gets destroyed - walls, the bar, tables, chairs, annnnd the entire building collapses. Colossus is buried in the rubble. Juggernaut asks Wolverine and Nightcrawler if they're going to join in. Nope. Juggernaut leaves. Colossus digs out of the rubble. Wolverine says he would've helped in the fight, but didn't because of how Colossus treated Kitty.

A woman who was watching the Colossus/Juggernaut fight steps out of the shadows on top of a nearby building. The man she was with at the bar is dead and looks almost mummified. The woman says the man should feel blessed for giving his life for "the goddess incarnate." The woman says she has returned to earth following a 2,000 year exile. Her name is Selene.

#colossus #kitty pryde #valerie cooper #raven darkholme #juggernaut #selene

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The Uncanny X-Men #182 - Madness

Rogue rushes back to Xavier's school to find it deserted. There are a few messages on the Professor's answering machine and Rogue listens to them. The first one is Madelyne asking if the Professor knows where Scott has disappeared to, the next one is Michael Rossi, who Rogue recognizes. He's aboard SHIELD's flying command center, and he's in trouble. Rogue immediately flies out the window to help Rossi. She doesn't listen to the next message which is from Illyana Rasputin. Illyana and the New Mutants have gone to Emma Frost's school to rescue Kitty. Emma is no longer in a coma as the X-Men believed and Kitty is in danger (see issue #180 for the background).

On board the "helicarrier," two of SHIELD's agents, Paul and Price, are questioning a third man, but the third man isn't answering any questions at all. The SHIELD agents think the man may be a mutant. Paul leaves to take a break, and Price looks away from the mutant for a second and BOOM. The mutant chokes Price until he faints.

Elsewhere Paul remembers that the mutant was caught searching SHIELD's records for data on Sebastian Shaw of the Hellfire Club. He says he'd better report in, and he contacts Shaw. Paul is a double agent! Paul warns Shaw about the prisoner and shows a picture of him. Shaw recognizes him immediately. It's Michael Rossi. Shaw says Rossi was reported MIA years ago and he tells Paul to "eliminate him."

Rogue sneaks on board the helicarrier. A bunch of SHIELD people find her and try to stop her, but she's way too strong for them. Next Rogue breaks the security network of the carrier.

Paul returns to the room where Rossi was being questioned. BAM! Paul fires a gun at Price', killing him. He then aims for Rossi's head. But before he can pull the trigger -

ROGUE.

She says Rossi is a friend of hers and she can't let Paul shoot him. So Paul tries to shoot Rogue. But it's pointless because Rogue is invulnerable. She rushes forward, grabs Paul's gun and snaps it in half, then she punches Paul and he's unconscious. Rogue grabs Rossi and flies straight through the side of the helicarrier. Rogue wonders what Rossi was doing on board and why SHIELD was trying to kill him. She knows Rossi was working on something for Xavier. After easily destroying a couple SHIELD jets that start firing at her, Rogue takes Rossi to a safe place, her parents' winter home, in Cape Cod Massachusetts.

From here, things get strange. Rogue starts reminding Rossi how they met, but he has no memory of her. She has a Boston accent now instead of her Southern accent. She keeps insisting that she knows Rossi, even bringing up things only the two of them know. She sees herself in the mirror and wonders why her hair isn't blonde. Rossi tells Rogue that isn't Carol Danvers. She thinks she is. She runs outside, collapses, and relives Carol's life in her mind. She screams. Rossi runs out to check on her, but they get in a fight because Rogue is acting like she's Carol and Rossi can't stand it. He SLAPS her! He says he wishes he could kill Rogue for what she did to Carol and she says he wishes he could kill her too.

Back on the helicarrier, Paul has recovered and tells Nick Fury that Rogue came in and shot Price and escaped with the mutant (the mutant is Rossi, but Paul is pretending not to know that since SHIELD doesn't know who that). Fury calls for backup to apprehend Rogue...

#rogue #sebastian shaw #michael rossi #nick fury

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The Uncanny X-Men #181 - Tokyo Story

After the events of "Secret Wars."

Tokyo

The X-Men are teleported back to earth along with a giant dragon! They're in Japan. Again. It's been a week since they were transported off earth by the Beyonder.

The Professor tells Rogue to fly straight back to the mansion and check on Kitty. Rogue says Storm is in charge and asks if that's what she wants. Storm agrees with the Professor. The rest of the team must ensure the dragon they're partially at fault for releasing does no harm in Japan. Rogue takes off. Wolverine thinks to himself that the Professor shouldn't be overstepping Storm's leadership. The Professor thinks to himself that he shouldn't be trying to lead, but after being on the sidelines for so long, he can't help himself.

In the Japanese government's war room, the military responds to the dragon sighting with planes and tanks. The military reports that the X-Men are in pursuit of the dragon as well. Mariko is in this war room with her cousin, who ranks highly in the Japanese military and is also a member of clan Yashida (see issue #172 for more info). Mariko thinks that Wolverine must be with the X-Men.

Meanwhile, the dragon is destroying buildings all over Tokyo. The X-Men attempt to save civilians: Colossus punches huge chunks of falling buildings, while Storm blows them away with wind. Nightcrawler teleports people to safety. Storm asks the Professor to try to create a psi-link with the dragon and calm it down, and he tries, but it backfires. The dragon believes the Professor is trying to attack, and throws the top of a building down. Sunfire, a former X-Man WAYYY back in issues #94 and 118, appears and tries to help stop the dragon with his nuclear plasma bolt powers. Then the military shows up and starts launching missiles at the dragon. It's intense in Tokyo!

Tahiti

Scott appears out of nowhere and returns to Tahiti where Madelyne is extremely confused but also extremely happy that Scott is back (the Beyonder teleported Scott off earth to fight with the X-Men in the Secret Wars). After the initial shock wears off Madelyne is very upset that Scott disappeared for a week. He apologizes profusely and they make up.

Tokyo

Intense doesn't even describe the chaos on the streets and in the skies of Tokyo. Buildings are collapsing, tanks are flying around in the wind produced by the dragon's flapping wings.

The Professor is buried in rubble and he can't feel his legs. He's terrified that he's lost the ability to walk so soon. Colossus helps the Professor, while Wolverine rescues a mother and daughter. The mother dies and Wolverine vows to raise the daughter, Amiko, as his own child.

Storm falls from the sky in the wind, and Sunfire attempts to catch her but the dragon crashes into them and they hit the ground. The dragon prepares to attack them, but...

Lockheed appears and blows fire onto the dragon. It simply stops it's attack and flies away. Lockheed chases after it. Suddenly, in the Japanese war room, there are two blips on the screen (Lockheed and the giant dragon), then there's a massive discharge of energy that registers on the screen and then both dragons are gone.

In the aftermath, Wolverine says he will track down Amiko's real family, or raise her himself as he promised. Mariko watches the X-Men on TV and wonders if Wolverine still loves her. She is also shocked to see Xavier walking. Lockheed rejoins the team and Colossus asks the Professor to read his mind to learn what happened to the giant dragon, but the Professor says Lockheed's mind is truly alien, and perhaps only Kitty can understand him.

Washington, D.C.

Senator Kelly argues with the President about the danger of mutants. Kelly says he knows of a half-dozen mutants with power sufficient to ravage the world. The President argues that what Kelly is proposing will only make things worse, that it isn't far removed from legalized slavery, and he vows to do everything possible to stop him. Kelly says the President is making a mistake and slams a bill down on the President's desk.

#professor xavier #mariko #sunfire #wolverine #amiko #lockheed #senator kelly #mutant affairs control act

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Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars #1-12

COMING... LATER

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The Uncanny X-Men #180 - Whose Life Is It, Anyway?

Professor Xavier is really able to walk now. And not only walk, but play basketball! (As you recall, Xavier's body was cloned during the Brood saga, and his new body has full leg functionality, it's just taken this long for his mind to remember how to operate his legs, see issue #167.) But suddenly, that pesky psychic scanning wave hits again (see last issue), and the Professor falls to the ground in pain. He has no idea who or what keeps causing these waves, but he believes it is alien to not only earth, but to the universe. Storm enters the basketball gym and interrupts the Professor's thoughts.

Storm and the Professor discuss when they initially discovered they had their powers. They also discuss Storm's recent change in personality and appearance. It's a really touching conversation. Storm says that Kitty believes Storm has become a monster. The Professor thinks to himself that he has never realized how attractive Storm is. Storm says her new appearance is an expression of something deep inside her. She says she was ready to kill Callisto even though she had once sworn never to kill again, see issue #170. Storm says she fears and hopes she must be insane. The Professor disagrees after a quick psi-probe.

The Professor offers to help Storm however he can, but she says she must find her own path.

Meanwhile, Kitty goes on a date with a guy named Doug Ramsey. She's complaining to him about how much Storm has changed. She says Storm was like her mother and best friend, but now she is a stranger. She apologizes for dumping all this on Doug. Doug says he's here for her when she needs him. Then Doug says he has an appointment at Massachusetts Academy and he asks Kitty to go with him (this is the school that Emma Frost was running and tried to recruit/force Kitty to attend back in issue #151.) Kitty says she doesn't want to go there since it's run by the Hellfire Club, but then she thinks to herself that she'd better go just in case they try to hurt Doug. At Xavier's mansion, Colossus vents to Wolverine about his anger over Kitty dating Doug.

Storm visits the huge Bronx Botanical Gardens. The plants remind her of her beautiful home in Africa. She hears a struggle going on nearby and approaches to find a gang threatening an elderly couple. Storm fights and beats the gang quickly. The couple seem more scared of Storm than they were of the gang. Then the Professor contacts Storm telepathically, and tells her to hurry back to the mansion.

At the mansion, Kitty explains to the Professor and the X-Men that Doug is going to visit the Massachusetts Academy and that she wants to go with him. She lays out a plan for being safe while there. The Professor shocks everyone by saying that Emma Frost must know that Doug is a mutant. The X-Men agree to Kitty's plan.

Afterwards, Storm finds Kitty and says it is past time for them to talk. Kitty again complains about the change in Storm's personality and appearance. Storm explains that she is learning and striving to find her true self and that she must live her life as she sees fit. It's super emotional - Storm is crying, Kitty is crying. It's beautiful. Storm says that if Kitty truly loves her she must let her continue on this path. Kitty says she's scared. Storm says that for the first time in her adult life she can laugh, cry, and feel. She asks for Kitty to be a true friend and stand by her. Kitty says she'll try.

The next week, Kitty and Doug board a plane to head to the Massachusetts Academy. The pilot of the plane is none other than Emma Frost! Kitty calls out for the Professor to help.

But the Professor can't hear her. He has traced the source of the psychic scanning waves to the Sheepo Meadow in Central Park. There, he and the X-Men have discovered a HUGE, strange-looking building. Colossus asks how it's possible this building could be here with no one seeming to notice. Wolverine asks what they do now. The Professor says they see what's inside...

#storm #professor xavier #kitty pryde #doug ramsey #emma frost

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Who else is excited for X-Men '97?!?

#x men '97

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The Uncanny X-Men #179 - What Happened to Kitty?

Kitty is alive! But she's been captured by the Morlocks and she's being forced to marry Caliban. (These people are obsessed with forced weddings, huh? See issue #170 for more info.)

Storm, Wolverine, and Rogue go to the morgue to identify the "Kitty" found in the street last issue. Wolverine says it's not really Kitty because the scent is off. Storm asks if he's certain and he is. It must be the body that Masque altered!

At Xavier's mansion, Nightcrawler, Professor Xavier, Amanda Sefton, and Illyana try to undo what Pyro and Avalanche did to Colossus in issue #177 (super heat, then deep freeze him, causing him to turn to stone). They are unsure how to restore Colossus to health.

Suddenly, Storm contacts the Professor through the psychic bond he keeps with all the X-Men. Storm explains that the body at the morgue is not actually Kitty's and that she thinks she knows where the real Kitty is. But this conversation is interrupted by a massive blast of psychic energy which causes the Professor to accidentally send deadly psi-bolts all around the room. Everyone ducks and covers. The Professor tells Nightcrawler that he senses a powerful scanning wave of extraterrestrial origin. The psychic wave has severely weakened the Professor. Nightcrawler wonders what it all means.

Back at the forced wedding between Kitty and Caliban, Kitty starts protesting this "wedding," but Callisto interrupts her asking whether it's true she promised Caliban that she would stay with him forever if he helped the X-Men fight Callisto (see issue #170). Kitty admits that that IS true. Kitty remembers that Colossus is in danger and she says she has to leave immediately. Callisto makes her promise to come back and then Kitty runs away.

Unfortunately, she's completely lost in the Morlocks' tunnels. A weird short alien-looking creature approaches Kitty and offers to help. But it just leads her back to the Morlocks. Kitty says she has returned to fulfill her promise. She asks Callisto to save Colossus in return. Callisto sends a the alien-looking Morlock to find "the healer." Callisto says that Kitty is a Morlock now and they always look after their own. Callisto proceeds marrying Caliban and Kitty, but then Storm, Wolverine, and Rogue show up. Storm is PISSED!

Storm immediately blows Callisto back with wind. Callisto yells for the alien-looking Morlock to attack Storm. It's name is Leech and with one touch, Storm's powers are gone. Callisto jumps on top of Storm. Storm says she didn't need her powers to beat Callisto before (again, issue #170), and she won't need them now either. Wolverine's ready to cut Leech to pieces, but Kitty screams for them all to stop. Colossus is what's important right now.

Callisto, her healer Morlock, and the X-Men return to the mansion. Rogue absorbs Colossus's powers, reverting him to human form. Storm sees the pain this causes Rogue, and she realizes that no matter what happened in Rogue's past, she is one of them now - Rogue is an X-Man. With Colossus no longer inn human form, it allows the Morlock healer to use his abilities on Colossus. Colossus's wounds heal. He is alive!

Later, Kitty says goodbye to Illyana. She's going to marry Caliban and fulfill her promise. But when she gets to the tunnels, Caliban realizes this isn't what Kitty wants. He says that although he loves her, forcing Kitty to marry him would be wrong. He calls off the wedding. Kitty says she is proud to call Caliban a friend. He says he hopes she will return one day, of her own free will. He gives her a single red rose.

#kitty pryde #caliban #callisto #storm #rogue #colossus

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The Uncanny X-Men #178 - Hell Hath No Fury...

Colossus has been turned to cracking, fragile stone due to Pyro super-heating him followed by Avalanche exploding a liquid nitrogen truck, covering Colossus in liquid nitrogen which instantly freezes his super-heated body. It's not pretty, folks. Kitty cries out for Professor Xavier.

And the Professor hears her, telepathically. Xavier telepathically contacts Wolverine and Storm and sends them to help Kitty. The Professor doesn't tell Rogue anything, knowing that Rogue has only recently defected from Mystique's Brotherhood. During all this telepathic communication, the Professor senses a psychic "scanning wave" that was looking inside of him for something. He doesn't who was scanning him or why...

Back at the construction zone where Colossus's stone body stands, Kitty decides to contact the Fantastic Four to ask for help against the Brotherhood. She hails a taxi and heads for the Baxter Building.

Elsewhere in the city, Callisto and two other Morlocks, Masque and Sunder, stumble upon a dead body in an alley. Callisto makes a plan to get back at the X-Men for taking over leadership of the Morlocks. Masque uses his power to alter the face on the body, making it resemble Kitty. Weird.

Back at the ballet, Kurt and Amanda are still waiting for Peter and Kitty and they're starting to wonder what's taking so long to park the car. Suddenly, they see a huge pink/red dragon made of fire in the sky and it's coming towards them! Kurt teleports away with Amanda, refusing to put her in harm's way. Unfortunately, they teleport near Avalanche, who makes the ground lift up and throw them into the sky. The fire dragon comes after them again, and Amanda casts a protection spell to counter it. Then the Blob tries to jump on them and crush them! The Blob grabs them both by their necks.

But that's when Storm and Wolverine arrive. Storm demands that the Blob release Kurt and Amanda. He does, but then he throws a HUGE piece of concrete at Storm. Stupid idea though, because Storm simply uses her powers to create a powerful wind that blows the concrete right back at the Blob. It smashes on top of his head.

Kitty arrives at the Baxter Building. It's empty except for a robotic receptionist. Kitty phases through the receptionist to short circuit it (her powers do that to electrical equipment). She heads to the third floor to find Dr. Richards' "Alpha Heat Source Module," which she previously read about in a newspaper article (last issue, I think). The robotic receptionist recovers and activates a security alert. Kitty finds the device she's looking for and heads back to the construction site. She tries leaving from the roof, phasing on the air to walk on it. But she falls!

Meanwhile, Storm, Wolverine, and Nightcrawler are fighting the Brotherhood. It's an intense battle with claws, wind, rain, teleporting. Suddenly the Brotherhood just... gives up. The Blob says the fight was just a diversion and that they'll either have to find themselves a new teacher or learn to raise the current one from the dead. The Professor is in danger!

Back at the mansion, Xavier realizes he recognizes the scanning wave from earlier. He last felt it when Mystique was jamming his powers. Rogue comes in to bring the Professor some tea. AND THEN SHOOTS HIM! It's not Rogue at all! It's Mystique in disguise! The real Rogue rushes into the room as Mystique transforms back into herself. Mystique tells Rogue she's come to save her from Xavier and the X-Men and their brainwashing. Rogue says she's here on her own free will because she needs the Professor's help to control her powers.

Mystique contacts the X-Men and the Brotherhood. She says she won't hurt Xavier as long as the X-Men stop fighting her Brotherhood. Storm agrees. Destiny warns the X-Men that Kitty is in trouble. Back at the Baxter Building, Kitty lies in the street, bloody and unconscious, the Alpha Heat Source Module is in pieces around her.

#kitty pryde #professor xavier #mystique #rogue

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The Uncanny X-Men #177 - Sanction

In an empty amusement park, Mystique fights against the X-Men. She slices Wolverine's throat with a knife and he dies. She stabs Kitty and she dies. In the amusement park's house of mirrors, she uses the mirrors to amplify Cyclops's optic blasts and aim them at Colossus, killing him. Then she strangles Cyclops to death. She changes her costume to one that can absorb Storm's lightning and when Storm predictably strikes Mystique, Mystique absorbs it and redirects it to a nearby fuel truck which explodes, killing Storm. She shoots Rogue with a very powerful gun. Then Nightcrawler shows up. Mystique tries to kill him with that knife, but he teleports away, then punches her, knocking her out cold.

Mystique wakes up. Seems like it was all a dream. Arcade and Miss Locke burst into the room and congratulate Mystique on a job well done against his X-Men robots in Murderworld (see issue #146). Mystique had previously asked Arcade to set up Murderworld as a training ground for her and her Brotherhood to practice fighting against the X-Men. Mystique wants to fight and kill the REAL X-Men and get Rogue back from them.

Meanwhile, at Stevie Hunter's dance studio, Kitty asks Stevie about Storm's new look and attitude. She says Storm has become a total stranger to her. Storm walks in and overhears Kitty, asking if Kitty thinks she's some kind of monster now. Kitty says that compared to what Storm was, maybe so. Kitty walks out of the room. Storm confides in Stevie that she thinks Kitty may be right about her...

In space, on board the Starjammer, Lilandra says goodbye to Charles. He tells her to come back for him some day, and she says she will. In another room on the ship, Alex and Scott say goodbye to their father, Christopher. Charles, Alex, and Scott are beamed back to earth, and Christopher and Lilandra begin their long journey back to the Shi'ar Empire.

Kurt and Amanda, and Kitty and Peter go on a double date to the ballet. While Peter and Kitty go park the car, Kurt and Amanda walk inside. Kurt talks to Amanda about how he wishes he could meet his father like Scott and Alex have. He also recalls meeting Mystique and asking her about a possible connection between himself and her because of how similar they look (see issue #142). Mystique responded that he should ask his mother. Margali Szardos is Amanda's real mother and the woman who raised Kurt. Amanda says all she knows about Kurt's past is that Margali found Kurt on the side of the road when he was just a baby. Amanda suggests they call Margali tomorrow to talk more about it.

Suddenly, there's a huge explosion in a nearby building. Peter transforms into Colossus, yells for Kitty to call the Fire Dept, and rushes into the building. He wants to save anyone who's inside. But the building seems completely abandoned. Until the Blob shows up.

The Blob says the explosion was a trap to get the X-Men to come inside the building. The Blob punches Colossus and he goes flying. Then Pyro appears and starts burning Colossus with his fire powers. At first Colossus seems fine, but then the flames get hotter and hotter. Colossus turns red; then white-hot. Pyro makes a giant bird out of flames which carries Colossus out of the building and into a nearby construction zone. The flame-bird disappears, but Avalanche is waiting there in the construction zone. Avalanche uses his powers to make a liquid nitrogen trucks explode, and Colossus is covered with the liquid nitrogen. Kitty rushes to the construction zone and finds Colossus. The liquid nitrogen has turned him to stone!

#mystique #nightcrawler #amanda sefton #margali szardos #colossus #the blob #pyro #avalanche

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The Uncanny X-Men #176 - Decisions

South Pacific Ocean.

Honeymoon time! Scott and Madelyne fly a plane to an island to celebrate their wedding (last issue). Madelyne asks if Scott has made a decision about leaving earth with his father (last issue again). Scott says he has not. Suddenly, the weather turns violent and there's wind, rain, lightning, and a lot of turbulence. Lightning strikes the plane and the electrical systems shut down. The plane starts falling towards the ocean, but being the excellent pilots they are, Scott and Madelyne land safely on the water. They climb out of the cockpit to examine the damage, and discuss getting the engines back in working order. And then a shark jumps up and tries to bite Scott! Scott blasts it with his powers. The shark swims away, but gets caught in some HUGE purple tentacles...

Japan.

Wolverine returns to Mariko's ancestral seat. He says now that Mastermind has been beaten, his influence over Mariko should be ended, and they can be together again. But Mariko disagrees. Because of Mastermind's manipulations, her family is now tied to a criminal underworld, something she wants to UNtie her family from. And she wants to do it alone. Wolverine says he understands. He leaves her again.

Washington, D.C.

Henry Peter Gyrich (see issue #142) arrives at the US Capitol for a meeting with the National Security Advisor, Judge Petrie. Gyrich assumes the meeting will be about "Project Wideawake," but he isn't sure - Petrie didn't say. At the meeting, Petrie explains that Magneto destroyed Varykino, a city in Russia, after the Soviets failed to disarm their nuclear weapons as ordered by Magneto (see X-Men #150 where the X-Men stopped Magneto from destroying anything OTHER than the Russian city). A woman at the meeting, Dr. Valerie Cooper, explains how mutants like Magneto and the X-Men have been appearing in many countries around the world, and that some governments want to use mutants' abilities for their own hostile interests - as assassins, spies, etc. She says the US must use its own mutant population to strike back against this. Gyrich worries that the government using mutants in this way may cause mutants to believe Magneto's argument - that humanity will use and eventually enslave mutants. Dr. Cooper says that mutants are a danger and must be dealt with at once.

New York City.

Callisto, the former leader of the Morlocks, visits Caliban. She's joined by Masque and Sunder. They discuss Caliban's obsession with Kitty and how foolish Caliban must feel since Kitty left the tunnels with the rest of the X-Men. Callisto says she intends to bring Kitty back to Caliban. Caliban seems very pleased about this.

South Pacific Ocean.

Scott and Madelyne get the engines of the plane working. Madelyne goes to pull up the plane's anchor and TENTACLES! The huge purple tentacles wrap around her and pull her underwater. Scott jumps in after her and gives the gigantic octopus a few optic blasts before finally unleashing a full power blast which explodes the octopus. They scramble back on the plane, start the engines and take off. Scott tells Madelyne he has decided not to go to space with his father after all. Instead, he wants to stay with Madelyne on earth and start a family.

#cyclops #madelyne pryor #henry peter gyrich #valerie cooper #magneto #callisto #caliban

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The Uncanny X-Men #175 - 20th Anniversary Issue! (Part Two of Two)

Mastermind introduces himself to Madelyne, who is dressed up like Phoenix. She's so confused. Mastermind explains that he has been behind all these "Phoenix" sightings the X-Men have had the past few weeks. He wants revenge on the X-Men. Back when he was working with Sebastian Shaw to manipulate Phoenix (see #s 132, 134), her powers somehow made him "one with the cosmos" which drove him mad. He has recovered from that, and now he wants the X-Men to suffer. Mastermind reveals that his has taken on several different disguises recently, including Nabatone in Japan and the Priest on the plane (see last couple issues), laying the groundwork for his plan under these other identities. He transforms into Cyclops and kisses Madelyne. Gross!

Back in the Danger Room, Cyclops stuns Wolverine with an optic blast and leads Colossus into a pit of quicksand. He avoids a lightning bolt from Storm and uses some Savage Land dust to make Rogue fall asleep. He picks up Rogue, exits the Danger Room, and heads for the infirmary where Charles is still unconscious (see last issue). He plans to have Rogue absorb the Professor's powers, hoping that this can somehow make the X-Men see through Mastermind's illusion.

Rogue does absorb Xavier's telepathic powers just as the rest of the X-Men burst into the infirmary. Rogue uses telepathy to break down the illusion. The X-Men see Cyclops instead of Phoenix. It's over.

Well. It's not REALLY over. Dark Phoenix appears again! But Cyclops shouts at Phoenix, saying he knows she's not real. Rogue confirms that she senses nothing with psi-probes, almost as if this "Phoenix" doesn't exist. But then there's a very real gunshot. Mastermind is trying to shoot at the X-Men! Storm makes a huge tempest in the infirmary, and surprises herself at how easily she can control such violent weather now.

The tempest completely dissolves Mastermind's illusion and reveals that he is in the infirmary too. Wolverine jumps on top of Mastermind, and extends his claws right at Mastermind's neck. Storm stops Wolverine from killing Mastermind, saying that the Professor will think of a way to restrain him instead. Rogue's telepathic powers fade, but not before she senses that Storm was ready to not only kill Mastermind with the tempest, but kill them all, if needed.

In the aftermath, Cyclops visits Jean's gravestone. He says he will always treasure the relationship they had, but that he loves Madelyne and that he wants to create a relationship with Madelyne now. He finally says goodbye to Jean.

Later.

At Xavier's school, there's a large tent set up on the grounds. Everyone is there - Storm, Wolverine, Colossus, Nightcrawler, Beast, Kitty, Charles, Lilandra. Scott's father and grandparents. Alex and Lorna. Moira and Sean. Everyone. Even the Starjammers watch on a screen from their ship. Madelyne walks down the aisle to Scott, who is waiting at the altar. After saying their vows, Scott and Madelyne are pronounced man and wife.

#mastermind #storm #cyclops #madelyne pryor

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The Uncanny X-Men #175 - 20th Anniversary Issue! (Part One of Two)

At the mansion, the X-Men practice using their powers outside. Suddenly, another giant Phoenix flame appears in the sky. Rogue and Storm see someone falling out of the sky and they fly up and catch him. It's Cyclops! When they get safely to the ground Cyclops explains that Dark Phoenix has returned. Xavier calls the X-Men telepathically, ordering them to his study. Cyclops explains his conversation with Madelyne and then the Phoenix's sudden appearance (see end of last issue).

Xavier decides to use Cerebro to find Phoenix, but for some reason Cerebro goes crazy and electrocutes the Professor. Nightcrawler teleports Xavier to the infirmary. Kitty and Wolverine examine Cerebro, finding that its safety systems have been deactivated. Cyclops says there's a simple explanation for that, and Phoenix suddenly comes out of Cyclops's body!

The X-Men all try fighting Phoenix, but all are quickly thrown aside. Wolverine doesn't try fighting and Phoenix says that is a smart move. Phoenix disappears, saying she will return. The X-Men regroup and decide to contact the Starjammers and Lilandra. But when they contact Corsair, he says that Phoenix has killed everyone on the ship but him. And then he says Phoenix has come back to his ship and then she does seemingly kill Corsair.

The X-Men decide to contact the Avengers for help. But even that is useless. Outside the X-Men see a giant Phoenix flame over New York. She has destroyed the entire city, including the Avengers! Which, Storm says, is easy for someone who has previously destroyed entire planets.

In the infirmary, Nightcrawler tries to revive Cyclops, who is unconscious. Cyclops's spirit hovers above his body. He looks for Jean. He finds his mother instead. His mother tells him it's not time for him to be a spirit yet and sends him back to his body. Cyclops wakes up. He's all alone. Cyclops starts thinking that all this can't really be happening. Phoenix hasn't returned. Someone is manipulating reality, causing the X-Men to only THINK that Phoenix is back. He tries to find the X-Men to explain this, but when he finds them, the X-Men believe Phoenix may be back in Cyclops's body and they try tackling him, eventually trapping him in the Danger Room.

The rest of the X-Men enter the Danger Room too. Cyclops has a portable module that controls the Danger Room and he programs it to resemble the Savage Land. Wolverine uses his powers to track Cyclops.

TO BE CONTINUED.

#phoenix #cerebro