The RAGE of BLASTAAR Although the X-Men have been forced to disband by orders from the FBI, Angel still can't help himself but return to the X-Mansion. While lost in thought, Warren becomes aware of a ticking sound and finds that Cerebro is still active and running. To his shock, it's reporting a high concentration of mutants, prompting him to try and get in touch with the other X-Men. Straining to send out his thoughts, he manages to make a connection with Jean via her telepathic powers and creates a psi-link between them and Scott, Bobby and Hank. However, Jean couldn't pick a worse time to contact Bobby and Hank who are out trying skydiving. The momentary distraction makes it too late for Hank to pull his ripcord and deploy his parachute; however he is saved from a fatal fall when Bobby uses his ice powers to slow the fall.
While far in San Francisco, we learn that this gathering of mutants are led by a man named Mesmero, who is amassing a mutant army to rise up and take over humanity, and apparently is under orders by Magneto himself. Needing to recruit more mutants for this army, Mesmero uses a psyche-generator of Magneto's own design to send out a call to latent mutants to awaken and heed his call. Among their numbers is one Lorna Dane, who in a trance like state almost walks out into traffic and is saved at the last minute by Bobby Drake, who has come to San Francisco with the rest of the X-Men. When Lorna realizes that she has unknowingly traveled 1200 miles from home, she agrees to let Bobby take her back to the apartment he's rented out with Hank.
Hank is less than happy that Bobby has brought the girl home, with the pending arrival of Warren, Scott and Jean to investigate the influx of mutants in the area. However, when the other X-Men arrive, it appears that Lorna has fallen asleep, so the X-Men leave Hank behind to work on a portable Cerebro machine while they go and seek out the location of the mutant gathering. When they arrive at the mansion that Mesmero is operating out of, the X-Men are attacked by members of his Demi-Men army, who pledge an allegiance to Magneto during the fight. After a brief battle, the X-Men manage to defeat the Demi-Men, however Warren is injured in the fight and the X-Men decide to return to Hank's apartment to see if he has finished building the Mini-Cerebro.
Hank has indeed finished the miniature Cerebro machine, and it instantly starts picking up a mutant nearby. To Hank's surprise, it's Lorna who has just come out of the shower. She reveals her green hair, having used dye to cover it up. Hank covers up for his secret identity by telling her that he's a friend of Bobby and that he is on his way to a costume party. When the other X-Men arrive, they reveal to Lorna that she might be a mutant and then decide to investigate if somehow Magneto is still alive with the mini-Cerebro unit. Lorna does not recognize Bobby in his Iceman form and Beast once more covers for their secret identities by telling her Bobby is on a secret mission for them. When the X-Men leave, Iceman is left behind to keep an eye on Lorna.
Right after the X-Men leave, Iceman and Lorna are ambushed by Mesmero and some of his Demi-Men. When Iceman uses his powers to try and defend Lorna, he is easily overcome by Mesmero's mutant hypnotism. When the evil mutants approach Lorna, she panics until they stop and begin bowing down to her in worship.
WELCOME To The Club, BEAST! The Conquistador has his operative Chico install the energy generator which he forced Hank McCoy to steal for him to power his doomsday weapon for which he plans on threatening the entire world. When Hank revives from a previous blow dealt to him by the Conquistador, he attempts to attack his captor, however he bounces off his electrified shield.
Dodging blasts from the Conquistador's electrified sword, Hank tries to escape the room but ends up running into a door closed by Chico. Before the Conquistador can punish Hank; Cyclops, Angel and Iceman burst through the door to rescue him. With Hank's help, the three costumed mutants manage to fight off the Conquistador's men.
Before they can stop the Conquistador from activating his device, the mutants are ordered to retreat by the Professor. Just as they do, the Conquistador's device explodes seemingly killing him. Outside, the Professor meets with his charges and explains that he used his mental powers to overload the weapon. Returning to the McCoy house, the Professor asks Hank to join his school, an offer that Hank accepts. Dawning his costume, the group welcomes him to the team and rechristens him the Beast.
