Intifada

Crossed Swords

Summary

  Sam meets his old teammate Magma at LAX; they hug and catch up. She was recently crucified (X-Men II:423) and comatose (New Mutants II:3-7); she subconsciously makes the ground tremble at the memory; she recently came out of a coma and wants to get going again; she's here to keep Sunspot honest. Seeing a traffic jam outside, Sam decides to blast off with her: the X-Men have gone public. She hates flying; he says safety comes from trying to make a difference in the world. He lands at X-Corp's L.A. mansion, and Sunspot greets Magma in broken Latin. Hugs all around, till Magma sees Empath (her old beau, New Mutants 56 to X-Force 34), who she'd now like to gut. Sunspot insists they have to work together now. Sam talks to Sunspot, who's happy Marie is being prosecuted and is shocked when Sam takes her side. She tried to kill him, but he remembers people back home fighting the mining companies to keep their land. Sunspot says this is different and is angry at Sam implying he's a villain. Sam suggests there might be somebody else in X-Corp who's trying to start a species war. Sunspot promises to investigate Rogue's nightmares and invites his friends to a gala fund-raiser. Bogan watches.

  A judge rules the evidence insufficient to try the mutants who killed the D'ancantos. Rogue is furious, but the lawyer says mutants aren't considered credible witnesses, and he can't stand the nightmares. Cutter mocks Rogue, and she starts to threaten him till his lawyer threatens to sue her for harassment.

  Rogue and Lucas go to Whedon for help, convincing her mutants are still human and it's important to prosecute the criminal ones.

  Ororo relaxes among the clouds, dives into the water, and uses lightning to dry herself. Remy says she's a show-off and catches her when her game leg gives out. He says the "big guys" bought her proposal, and it all depends on her.

  In Rogue's house, Whedon and Lucas go through real estate records, but they need proof the sales were coerced. Sage enters and attacks, slitting Whedon's throat; Lucas thinks Bogan is still controlling her, but she says it's Hellfire Club business. Revenant rises from the surf, and Rogue sneaks up and thumps her; Revenant knows she's lost her powers, but she enjoys going "Bishop" on her, till Manacle (X-Men I:383) wraps her in spiked chains and then pulls, spinning her off into the sky and shredding her. Rogue lands bleeding and watches from a distance, glad Manacle didn't verify he killed her. Inside, Sage, Lucas, and Whedon recover from Revenant's nightmare. Rogue hops on a motorcycle, despite Sage's misgivings, and follows the villains to X-Corps. Sage reminds her that Sam and Sunspot are friends; Rogue tells her she'll always love her foster mother Mystique, but it's actions that count, not relationships.

  Magma and Sam are uncomfortable at the gala, realizing the guests wouldn't associate with mutants but for Sunspot making them fashionable. Sam wonders if Empath is manipulating them, but Magma thinks he's never dare; Sam tells her Empath can't help caring for her. Suddenly a motorcycle jumps over the fence, and security scrambles, but Rogue quickly gets Sunspot by the throat, demanding answers.