Plan in motion (part one)
After the shocking reveal of the notorious villain Apocalypse, the group has decided to split into four separate teams. Storm addresses the group about their next steps.
"Okay, listen up. Magneto is dead, and we can’t change that. But what we can do is catch the bastard." She pauses briefly. Some of the younger members are shocked to hear someone as regal and composed as Storm use such blunt language.
"For this manhunt, we’ll be dividing into smaller teams, each responsible for an essential task to capture this mysterious assassin. Divide and conquer, as they say. Group One will consist of Cyclops, Jean, Forge, Archangel, and myself. We’ll head into the city to meet with X-Factor Investigations. Their detectives may provide vital assistance in locating and apprehending the assailant. Clear?"
Storm glances over at Cyclops and Jean, who exchange confident nods with her, followed by Archangel and Forge. Smiling, Storm continues, "Wonderful! Group Two will be Rogue, Gambit, Nightcrawler, Psylocke, Beast, Raven, and Logan. The seven of you will travel to a secure location to meet with my close friend, Director of S.H.I.E.L.D., Alphonso Mackenzie. From there, you’ll head to the newly restored S.H.I.E.L.D. prison stronghold, known affectionately as 'The Playground.' S.H.I.E.L.D. will provide quinjet transport to and from the Playground to ensure smooth travel. Your mission is to interrogate..."
Storm pauses, lightly gripping her husband Forge's hand before continuing, "...interrogate William Stryker."
A heavy silence falls over the room, and all eyes turn to Logan. He opens his mouth to speak but quickly shuts it, clearly agitated. After a brief hesitation, he gestures for Storm to continue. She nods and says, "I know some members of this team aren’t... entirely fond of Colonel Stryker. However, he might have information on those who could be behind Magneto's murder. Can you handle that?"
The group nods solemnly, though Logan remains silent, staring rigidly at the metallic blue-black table. Storm adds, "Oh, and Logan, try not to get too... stabby."
"Okay, now Group Three! We've compiled a list of Magneto’s past associates, along with a few other mutants and even some humans who might join us. If, God forbid, this situation escalates, we’ll need all the help we can get. On this mission will be Colossus, Emma, Sebastian, Blob, Juggernaut, Apocalypse, and Professor Xavier. Beast and I will provide the X-Jet for your travels. Can I trust you to get it done?"
She looks at them, her gaze lingering on Apocalypse, as they begrudgingly agree.
"And finally, Group Four: the youngsters. Kitty, Illyana, Jubilee, Pyro, and Bobby. I want you five to remain at the mansion. Your primary task is to keep the students safe—and more importantly, to keep yourselves safe. You are the future of this team, and we can't risk you getting injured. Can you do that for me?" Storm asks with a motherly smile. She knows it’s not the mission they wanted, but the youngest mutants can’t be put in danger. The five of them exchange quick glances before nodding in agreement.
"Great! Everyone, you have your orders. Let’s get to work."
Group One:
Cyclops, Jean Grey, Storm, Forge, and Archangel are in New York City, en route to meet the mutant detective agency X-Factor Investigations. Cyclops is behind the wheel of a sleek, black SUV, branded with the Xavier Institute logo in gold lettering. His wife, Jean Grey, sits beside him, their hands intertwined. In the back, Storm sits on the right with her eyes closed, feeling the wind dance on her face from the open window. Beside her, Forge tinkers with his wrist gauntlet. Above them, Archangel soars through the sky, his metallic wings glistening in the sweltering New York sun. In the distance, a man made entirely of fire speeds through the air, while another figure swings between buildings using spider-like webs. The group eventually reaches a large brick building situated in the northeast of Manhattan. Cyclops, Jean, Forge, and Storm exit the SUV as Archangel lands gracefully beside them before retracting his chrome wings into his back. They make their way up sandstone steps and come to a revolving glass door. There is a silver plaque beside the door that reads "X-Factor Investigations" in gold writing. Cyclops gestures to Jean to enter with a smile that clearly says "ladies first" as the group enters the headquarters of the famed mutant detective agency, X-Factor Investigations. Upon entering, the group is met with a familiar face—Cyclops' own brother and founding member of the X-Men, Alex Summers, aka Havok. The two brothers lock eyes (Cyclops through his visor) and hold each other in a tight, warm embrace. A tear falls down Alex's cheek, and Cyclops becomes shaky.
"You son of a bitch, the CIA told us you were dead," Cyclops says, releasing Alex from the hug.
"I thought I was too, baby brother. In fact... I was dead. Then Polaris found me. She found me in the wreckage of a submarine during our battle with Sebastian Shaw back in the '80s and used her powers to resurrect me. After that, we fell in love and got married. However, when I was brought back to life I found that I no longer had control of my powers… I was normal. It wasn’t Polaris’s fault, I was the one that was stupid enough to die. And here she is now! Meet Polaris, daughter of—"
"Magneto. I am the daughter of Magneto," says a young woman with bright emerald green hair, dressed in a dark green dress, walking slowly down the stairs before joining Havok and the group. She gives Havok a kiss on the cheek. "My name is Lorna Lensherr-Summers, and I am the daughter of Magneto, and your sister-in-law. Pleasure to meet you. Scott, right? Alex has told me so much about you." She says with a small smile.
The group, and especially Cyclops, are stunned. Five hours ago, they were informed that Magneto was dead, and now his daughter shows up? Something wasn’t right, and Cyclops knew it. But first, he needed to see if Polaris knew anything about her father’s passing. He puts his thoughts aside and embraces Polaris as family.
"It’s so nice to finally meet you, Lorna. I’m glad my big brother finally found someone. However, we’re not here for pleasantries. As I’m sure you know, your father has been murdered." Lorna holds Havok’s arm even tighter. Cyclops takes note of this but continues, "and we come to the famed ‘mutant detective agency’ for help, so imagine my surprise when I find the daughter of the victim as head detective. Bit sketchy, even for X-Factor. Your father was an evil man—are you?" Cyclops says, staring Polaris down.
She releases her grip on Havok’s arm and loses her smile before speaking.
"Evil? You want evil? Then I shall be evil!" she yells as her eyes and hands begin to glow green and crackle with electric energy. She raises her hands in an attempt to attack, before—BANG! A loud noise fills the room as Polaris falls to the floor, dead. Red steam rises from Cyclops' visor.
Havok runs over to Polaris’s lifeless body, cradling her head in his arms as he begins sobbing. He looks over to Cyclops and screams,
"WHAT DID YOU DO!? MY LOVE… MY WIFE IS DEAD… BECAUSE OF YOU! YOU INSIGNIFICANT FREAK! LEAVE, I NEVER WANT TO SEE YOU AGAIN!"
The group silently leaves as Cyclops says softly, "I’m sorry."