X-Men '97

Previously on X-Men...

I was abandoned by my mother, Mystique, as an infant.

Despite our shared blood, I was too blue for her.

Then, I met Rogue years later.

We could have been enemies or strangers.

Instead, unlike our mother,

we chose not to abandon each other.

Perhaps the Professor's vision for the future was too near-sighted

and begging for tolerance was our first mistake.

When Logan told me Graydon Creed was your kid, I couldn't see it,

but now...

Can't unsee it.

Shoulda killed the little mistake when I had the chance.

My X-Men must now evolve.

Ladies and gentlemen, I give you X-Corp.

If Charles Xavier thinks that he can skirt federal laws

by re-establishing his X-Men overseas,

he should be prepared for the blowback.

Sister, what madness is this?

- You're safe now. - Thank you.

Illyana.

Illyana.

Illyana!

No!

Illyana!

Ladies and gentlemen, Friends of Humanity,

please welcome Mr. Graydon Creed!

Humans were here first!

They say Genosha was a tragedy.

I say it was a consequence

of a world forced to live in danger far too long.

If history has taught us anything,

it's that mutants can't be trusted with their powers.

And what does President Kelly do? He gives them more.

Using your tax dollars to fund his X-Factor.

Not to protect you, but to protect them.

What about us?

Well, I say no longer.

Yeah, not on your watch.

For I have heard your call,

and with your support, tonight,

I officially announce my candidacy

for President of the United States.

A leader for humanity.

For humanity! For humanity!

For humanity! For humanity!

No. No!

Hands in the air.

Stand down! Stand down!

Sorry. But no.

They call themselves the Acolytes of Magneto.

An emerging cult of radical extremists devoted to the late "Master of Magnetism"

and his vision for mutant supremacy.

Moments ago, the Acolyte leader known as Exodus

released a statement claiming responsibility for their attack.

Four thousand, six hundred and twenty-one seconds.

That's how long it took for Genosha to be reduced to ashes.

And humanity's response? Is to raise up men like this.

Men who paint targets on mutantkind's backs

while we mourn our lost.

Magneto understood there is no appealing to humanity's "better nature,"

for you have none.

So instead, we make these demands.

All mutants currently detained by the race traitors known as X-Factor

will be released.

You will remand them to Acolyte custody,

and you will stay out of our way.

Fail to comply...

Graydon Creed dies.

I give you 24 hours.

Bonne journée.

Graydon Creed deserves about as much sympathy

as a hungry crocodile at a children's pettin' zoo.

But I reckon this can't be simple for ya.

In our family, sister,

nothing ever is.

Please tell me you're not going to try to insert your people into this.

I'm already working with the UN to approve activating X-Factor.

You cannot expect me to sit by

while Exodus and his followers

twist Magnus's name to justify their war.

So, you have located the Acolyte base.

My X-Men are already on their way.

Trust me, Dr. Cooper.

Where they are going, you would not wish to follow.

Welcome to the Savage Land.

One of Earth's deadliest habitats.

A bio-evolutionary time capsule quite literally frozen in time.

Pre-historic wildlife?

Ancient evil spirits?

Don't forget the leftover experiments

from when Mister Sinister was king of the jungle.

Great. More things that can kill us.

There he goes. Our walking doomsday clock.

Always with his eye on the worst-case scenario.

I may have read your file, Lucas.

So, what's your strategy? Cause a scene?

- May have read your file too. - Just sayin'.

Can't imagine there's anything more dangerous here

than the man we're rescuin'.

Creed's actions may be detestable.

But I like to believe that no one is above salvation.

I'm detecting a familiar energy field.

Akin to a signature established when Mister Sinister...

Oh, no!

You feel that?

Some type of radiation.

Oh, dear! Hold on everyone!

Incoming surface-to-air-missiles, on our six.

Taking evasive action!

We are hit!

Losing pressure, we're goin' down!

Rogue, can you level us out?

On it, Beast. Ahh!

- Rogue! - My powers. They ain't workin'.

Our gifts have abandoned us.

Bishop!

Polaris, don't!

Come on, come on.

Closer. Closer.

Well

at least we stuck the landing.

Startin' to see why they call it the Savage Land.

- Honestly, might be underselling it. - Yeah.

Bishop? Are you all right?

Before the jet got hit, there was some sorta energy.

I can feel my powers building up inside me,

but I can't release them.

Sinister's old Inhibitor Tower.

The Acolytes must have rebooted it to suppress all of our mutant powers.

How long can you contain it?

Let's just say I don't got a lotta time left.

We need to find the others and get Creed the hell outta here.

- Greetings, comrades. - Peter!

Almost forgot what pain feels like. Ahh!

- Are you injured? - I am now.

Thank you for answering our prayers.

Stand down.

I know these mutants as friends.

What brings you here?

We're here to rescue your hostage

so you and your Acolyte buddies don't start World War Three.

I cannot give him to you.

You misunderstand.

Creed is my brother.

Half-brother.

He and I share a mother, Mystique.

He is family.

We do what we must for our kin,

but I still cannot release Creed.

We may not have powers here, but we're not just gonna turn around...

Rogue, please.

Perhaps instead you will allow us to tour your home

and look upon your work.

Should we come to understand your cause,

imagine the message it would send.

You would view our home with an open mind?

So long as we can ensure the prisoner is being treated fairly.

Treat us with respect

and we will return such.

And perhaps your powers, too.

We seek a simple life here.

Food, water, and power.

Simple concerns.

Exodus found me in the darkest of places.

He may have his eccentric qualities,

but each day I have been here,

another mutant finds safety.

For that, he has given me a purpose

and earned my trust.

But your sister would never want you to join the Acolytes.

How can you know, Beast?

How can any of us know the desires of the dead?

A beautiful painting.

Yours?

To honor her.

I'm sorry, Peter.

The time for sentiment has passed, Rogue.

Each of us must act to ensure others like us

will not lose their brothers and sisters.