This issue leads directly into the Fall of the Mutants event.
In the unseasonal cold weather near Yellowstone, Wyoming, Storm has been given some traditional Cheyenne clothing to combat the cold. When Storm asks how there could be snow in the middle of the summer, Naze points out that it's the doing of the Adversary. When she asks why the Adversary seeks to cause utter chaos, Naze can only say that the creature thrives on causing the entire universe to fall apart all at once, causing universal entropy so that it can recreate all existence and start his game all over again. When Ororo asks why, Naze cannot answer for the gods, and admits he admires the Adversary's "brass", much like he does that of Storm. When he tries to liken the Adversary to a weaver who pulls apart it's threading, Storm considers this abominable due to the fact that the "strands" that the Adversary is playing with are people's lives. They finally reach the point where they must part as they approach the summit of the mountain that Forge is at the top of. Naze says Storm has to go alone, as Forge has undoubtedly set up traps for him, and she could slip by undetected and take him off guard due to Forge's feelings for her. Storm thanks Naze for his help and hugs him and he gives her a kiss in return, one that Storm warmly accepts. She tells him that she will cherish that kiss until she returns. When Storm is out of earshot, Naze doubts she will and remarks that no matter what Ororo's fate, he will win one way or the other.

While in San Francisco, Valerie Cooper is holding a press conference with Freedom Force members Crimson Commando and Destiny. She calls for an end to mutant violence and applauds the up soon to be tabled Mutant Special Powers Registration Act. This act, she explains, will require all superhumans to register with the government. When the press asks about the civil liberties of those who would be forced to register, Valerie points out that the rights of the many outweigh the needs of the few. However, one reporter finds that discriminating the minority to "protect" the majority goes against the ideals of a democracy and criticizes her selecting former criminals to be members of the Freedom Force. Cooper, however, states that in order to catch a fox, you get other foxes.

While at a local gym, Rogue practices with a special weight lifting machine that the owner purchased off the Fantastic Four during a period they were short on money hoping to use it as a marketing gimmick when she is approached by Mystique. Rogue is happy to see her adopted mother again, however the happy reunion shifts in tone when Mystique warns Rogue about Destiny's vision that the X-Men -- Rogue included -- are fated to die in Dallas, Texas in the near future. She begs Rogue to leave the X-Men and come back to her where it's safe. However, Rogue refuses to tell her that the X-Men are family and she can't abandon them. Mystique is hurt by this, seeing that she will stick by the X-Men but not the woman who saved her and leaves in tears.

While at Club DV8, Dazzler puts on an impromptu show, thanks to a connection made by Lila Cheney. However, when a drunk knocks out the lights, Dazzler uses her mutant powers to illuminate the bar, and the audience eats it up. Walking off stage, she finds Logan waiting who tells her that he liked the show. However, he cautions her about using her powers so openly because it will make her a potential target. Upset that she screwed up again Dazzler apologizes, but Logan tells her to think harder in the future. Rogue arrives to tell Logan that the X-Men may not have a future at all. While, near Union Square, Alex and Longshot are getting out of the theater after seeing Raiders of the Lost Temple, with Longshot not remembering that he had acted in that movie himself.[1] When they see some thugs shoot some cops and kidnap a girl, speeding off in their car, Longshot springs into action. His luck powers and daggers incapacitate

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