David Alleyne a.k.a. Prodigy stands in front of a brick building. He holds his yellow glasses in his hand and he remembers being welcomed by an older woman, probably a professor, at the university where he now works. She told him that it was an honor to have someone like him lead the department. He remembers being in class, where a student confronted him about being a mutant. 'Don't you, like, know everything we know just by being in the room with us?' the student asked, before wondering if he even read the things he is teaching, or if he just learnt them with his power. David thinks about his boyfriend, Dante, who, over dinner, said 'So, I'm like, “I don't know if you're a secret mutant, but last time I checked, there weren't any mind readers at the firm...”' Finally, David recalls being approached by Sophie Cuckoo and Kamala Khan during a lecture, where Sophie accused him of protecting the oppressor.
David picks up a spraypaint can from a duffel bag and tells himself that the problem is pretty clear from the outset – mutant culture is rooted in repeated, ongoing and – at this point – systemic violence. He wonders if that is harsh, and suggests adventurism or paramilitarism as alternative options. He adjusts his glasses and notes that mutants have a handful of historic activists and leaders, but not a single one without an alias, whether a Krakoan name or a nom de guerre, unless one counts Moira MacTaggert, the one who tried to kill the rest of them. And his case – succeeded – almost. David thinks about Professor X, Magneto and Apocalypse, and decides that even when humans weren't bringing war to mutankind, the mutants were bringing it to themselves. 'Mutant culture is what then? Tension? War?' he wonders, before throwing a rope up to the top of the brick building, where it latches around a pipe. David climbs the rope, and begins painting something onto the brick wall, as he tells himself that he knows the answer to this – he knows what it is – it is a dream that died.
Wearing a black and yellow costume, David hangs from the rope as he pains an elaborate X with strange designs onto the wall. David leaps onto a nearby rooftop and looks up at his latest masterpiece. He tells himself that there are generations of mutants who are stuck in this binary – integrate or dominate. He leaps from building to building through the night. 'Literally fighting to death over it. Until finally, both sides had to admit their failures and choose a third way' David thinks to himself, recalling how mutants separated from humankind – which, ultimately, also failed, at least for everyone who did not want to leave this dimension.
David lands on a building's fire escape and leaps up the side of the building, telling himself that mutants are people who can't be among other people – powerful beings untrusted to wield their own power, and a homeless diaspora with no hope of a return to the only place that they ever lived without fear. 'What does that leave us with?' David wonders as he climbs through a window – into the bedroom he shares with Dante, who is asleep in the bed. 'The quiet parts of our life we don't share with anyone, where we celebrate what we feel inside? Where that community still lives, somewhere hidden and secret and safe?' David wonders as he gets into bed, and puts his hands behind his head, wondering if even those quiet parts can truly belong to them. 'Can anything that stays around finally belong to us?'
The next morning, David is at his desk at the university, his screen saver on his computer appears to be an image of Krakoa. David is on the phone: 'Yes, that's exactly what I'm trying to say, Sandra. I mean, Dean Staswick. I mean – right, Sandra. Thanks. Anyway...mutant-centric gatherings in New York are actually at a far lower rate than pre-Krakoa' David begins. He confirms that he is aware of the upcoming city council proposal regarding assigned “mutant housing” and advises that he does not think it is a good idea – in fact, it's catastrophic, and he appreciates the university backing an alternative option. David looks down at some papers on his desk and tells Sandra that there is street art all over New York. 'No, I don't think it indicates – I'm just trying to – yes, understood. If I hear of anything in the, um, mutant rumor mill – thanks Sandra. Dean Stashwick. Thanks'.
'Professor Alleyne!' Kamala Khan exclaims as she rushes into David's office. 'I'm so glad you're in – you might be the only person in the city who can help me!' Kamala declares. She informs David that she will close the door and talk quiet so neither of them get in trouble. 'But do you have a second? 'Cus get ready for this!' Kamala remarks. Kamala then holds up her phone which depicts a photo of the Krakoan – and Kamala claims that she knows who is under the mask. Kamala then holds up a photo consisting of David and several of his classmates – including Hellion a.k.a. Julian Keller. 'So, back at Xavier's, you had this kid in your class, Julian Kellar' Kamala remarks. 'Is that a page of my yearbook?' David asks. 'Sophie had one' Kamala explains, before she tells David that the Krakoan's powers are the same as Hellion's – telekinesis with a green energy signature, same build, and the guy's psych profile was all over the place. 'That tracks with the wacko I fought at the river' Kamala adds.
David reveals to Kamala that Julian has had a hard life, that he had to keep his identity secret, his parents were hell – and rich enough to take everything from him. 'But even if he fronts like one sometimes, he's not a psycho' David remarks. 'Exactly. Okay. So this is where it gets interesting' Kamala exclaims, opening a book, she reminds David that he hold her to own being Ms. Marvel, and she did, all of her super-hero legwork is in this book. 'I don't just have an I.D. on the bad guy – I have a clue on the motive' Kamala claims. Kamala tells David that the Krakoan hits the subway – that's his M.O. seems like random civilian targets – until you look at the victims. 'Every single time he hits, someone in city government does on those trains. Every. Time' Kamala reveals, pointing out that the Krakoan is making a lot of noise, but what he is actually doing is a string of very quiet assassinations. Kamala begins flipping through her book and tells David that she doesn't know the Krakoan would be doing that, before muttering that she did too much research has she attempts to find something.
Kamala stops at a page which appears to be some sort of map of New York City, with the locations of the attacks marked out. Kamala tells David that the attacks are on a timer, that there is the exact same intervals between attacks, and one is coming today. She explains that the Morlocks mapped out the attacks and it was Sophie who noticed it: 'Julian Keller's gonna hit Time Square!' Kamala exclaims, narrowing her eyes, adamant that Julian wanted her to know this. 'You, specifically?' David asks. 'I'm New York's mutant super hero!' Kamala points out. 'You don't paint a giant X on the NYC subway map unless you're trying to attract attention' Kamala declares. Kamala tells David to trust her, that villains love this stuff. 'Fight the good guy, make a big point about donating humans or whatever, and it's my job to give him that fight. But you? You could talk to him like a friend. And then maybe it doesn't have to be a fight' Kamala suggests. David puts his hands to his head, conflicted as he apologizes to Kamala and explains to her that his position requires a very careful balance – so he can't be seen like that.
Kamala slams the door to David's office and sees Sophie Cuckoo standing nearby, tapping away on her phone. 'Hey, Sophie, remember when you said all that mean stuff to Professor Alleyne in class and really called him out, and I told you that maybe you weren't giving him enough credit because he was a member of the Young Avengers and the X-Men and there was no way he'd prioritize his own comfort over saving actual people from being actually killed? Remember that?' Kamala exclaims. 'Basically' Sophie responds. 'WELL YOU WERE RIGHT!' Kamala shouts, rushing forward, she grabs Sophie and pulls her along after her. 'Now come on... we have a city to save!'
A short time later, Kamala has increased her form to her giant-size and rushes down a busy street, holding Sophie in one hand, as Sophie psionically commands the civilians in the way to move.
David sits at his desk and thinks more on the heroism/terrorism trauma-response binary. He decides that regardless of intention or circumstance, mutant history oscillates between two states – which despite differences in methodology, have been observed as morally equivalent. One is called “Xavier was right” and the other “Magneto was right”. He wonders if either can be right if both are wrong, and whether their need to operate in these states has blinded them to any other path. He knows that lots of cultures have a concept of brotherhood – but only mutants have to reclaim the word “evil”.
'Ms. Marvel! You found my invitation!' a voice exclaims as Kamala and Sophie arrive in Times Square. 'Welcome to die!' the Krakoan declares as he hovers above Times Square, rain pouring down around him, he uses his control over telekinesis to to levitate various scrap metals. 'Wow. Deep cut' Kamala remarks. Sophie tells her that she doesn't understand. 'Tragic' Kamala utters, before telling Sophie that they are going to an arcade when this is done. Kamala puts Sophie down on the ground, and asks her to listen to her – really listen to her. Kamala returns to her regular size, and puts a hand on Sophie's shoulder. Kamala looks at Sophie sternly and tells her that she has a very strong suspicion she is somehow involved with the Krakoan, and that she thinks Sophie became friends with her on purpose to lure her here to make this happen. 'I mean, for real, why would you have a yearbook for a school year when you were dead?' Kamala asks, before telling Sophie that whether she knows it or not, they are actually friends now, and she doesn't know how many friends Sophie has had that weren't related to her. 'But friends tell each other the truth' Kamala adds, looking unhappy as she tells Sophie to know that she isn't lying, not even a little, right now. 'You are a better person than you think you are. And there is a better way. If you choose it' Kamala declares, as Sophie stares back at her, intently.
Meanwhile, at the Quiet Council HQ – where no flatscans are allowed. Manuel de la Rocha a.k.a. Empath watches a monitor depicting the interaction between Kamala and the Krakoan. He calls out to the other Stepford Cuckoos and tells them that it is showtime. 'Assuming Sophie didn't just turn super hero. This is why we should've sent Esme. No chance of a misplaced conscience there' Phoebe Cuckoo declares. 'Ouch, what a burn. Everyone knows my best quality is compassion' Esme mutters, to which one of the others asks 'Did you feel that? She almost threw up a little just saying it'. 'Enough! This is the Four-in-One to Undercover Sister...are you still with us, or did Miss Fantastic get under your skin?' Esme asks.
'No. I just... I didn't think...' Sophie responds from Times Square where Kamala extends her limbs and slams the Krakoan into the side of a building. 'Well, you're only a fifth of a brain so that's to be expected' Esme snaps. Phoebe tells her that she doesn't always have to talk like Ms. Frost, as Sophie is doing her best. 'Gag. I have zero sympathy for Team Basic, sorry-not-sorry' Esme declares. One of the other sisters remarks that they are working with Manuel de la Rocha, and suggests that if she saw them from the outside, she might be concerned, too. 'He's working with us. But fine, let's remind her why we're doing this' Esme suggests. She continues to project her thoughts to Sophie: 'They took every single %$^& thing we had. So now they get what they deserve. And so do we. The pain will be short. And then the island will be ours'.
Esme then tells Sophie to take the damn shot. 'I...' Sophie begins, before she telepathically implants the story in the minds of every journalist in the city. 'Mutant mayhem happening live. Come and get your news' Sophie tells them. She then telepathically informs Julian that he is on – but to make it fast. 'Fast isn't the plan. Now stay out of my head and let me focus' Julian responds as he telekinetically forces a punch from Kamala backwards. 'Julian Keller! They called you Hellion! You were a hero! You don't need to be doing this! You can stand down and – oh no!' Kamala calls out as Julian swings her backwards by telekinetically controlling her arm, slamming her down against the wet street.
On cue, reporters begin to arrive on scene. 'Holy $#%&! Is that Magneto? Get the plastic camera, get it now!' one of them shouts. The Krakoan retains control over Kamala's extended limbs, and he levitates her up above the street as he tells her 'Walking around pretending to be one of them. Disgusting. Let's show the world what happens to mutant traitors'. The Krakoan holds Kamala in place as he is recorded by the film crews and shouts 'Hear me, New York! Krakoa might be gone, but we are not! The world belongs to Homo Superior! You have new gods... AND WE ARE FURIOUS WITH YOU!' the Krakoan booms, staring directly into a camera.
Kamala looks down at Sophie who is standing near an alleyway and pleads with her: 'You have to see it, this guy, everything he's doing... this won't help anything!' But Sophie just tells Kamala that she is so sorry, but they have been down this road, they know where it leads. 'Just give up. Let him win. We'll take care of the rest' Sophie suggests. The rest of the Cuckoos project their astral selves around Kamala, and one of them tells Kamala that, for what it is worth, Sophie really liked being her friend. 'Look, everyone loves a fashion victim' Esme snaps, while another Cuckoo tells Kamala that the truth is, they tried to coexist, and it failed. 'Now we either fold... or we rule'.
Kamala looks over to where the Krakoan still hovers mid-air – when suddenly, the Krakoan lunges forward, and in a display of telekinetic fury, creates a large psychic fist, which he uses to slam Kamala back to the ground.
'And there it is' Empath grins as he watches the attack from the safety of his office, as lightning suddenly crackles behind him. The Stepford Cuckoos all sit down and Esme tells them to rest us, as this is just what they needed – and the rest is just dominoes falling.
In the Morlock tunnels, Anole, Caliban and Loolo watch footage of the events taking place above them.
Laura Kinney a.k.a. Wolverine rushes down an alleyway as the rain continues to beat down.
At the Khan household, Kamala's parents, brother and cousin, Bilal, are watching the footage on the television before them. Bilal tells his aunt, Muneeba, that this is what they do – the mutants. 'When have they ever de-escalated a situation?' he asks. 'That poor girl' Muneeba utters.
David Alleyne thinks about hatred and fear – they are the assumed human positions. The assumed towards mutantkind. If it is not Sentinels, it is Reavers. If it is not Reavers, it is Purifiers. Everyone has a reason to hunt mutants – but when they fight back, humans chase mutants into dark corners. Then they say the corners are too dark, light is demanded – authority – mutant towns – prisons and camps. If mutants fight for themselves, they are an Evil Brotherhood. If they fight for humans, they are a defunct dream. But if mutants hold all action, if they simply learn to disappear more cleverly... then aren't mutants the ones living in fear?
At David's apartment, Dante is watching the footage on television. 'Are you seeing this, David?' Dante wonders where everyone is – the Avengers or Fantastic Four, or Spider-Man – why is not one helping Ms. Marvel. 'David?' Dante calls out, getting no response.
'You might want to turn off the news, babe... this could get ugly' David tells Dante as he leaps into action, through the rain, he drops down beside Kamala and confronts Julian. 'You always did want to fight me, Julian. Get ready to regret it!' David exclaims, while Julian frowns from underneath his helmet.
'What the %$^& is this? Alleyne is supposed to be off the table!' Empath shouts. One of the Cuckoos tells him to calm down, and explains that David doesn't really even have powers – he is just a borrower. 'And we've been inside his mind more than once' she adds. 'I always liked him' one of the Cuckoos smirks. 'No time for feels, ladies. Let's remind him what he has to lose' another Cuckoo declares, as they project themselves telepathically before Prodigy. 'Leadership' one of them remarks . 'Respect' another offers. 'Tenure' a third notes. As the rain pour down around him, David seems surprised by the Cuckoos' appearance and tells them that it is great to hear from them, before suggesting that this is a fun trick, but reminds them that back in school, all of them had a real problem with skipping class – especially if they thought the topic didn't matter. 'So here's a lesson you missed with all that telepathic privilege' David declares as he uses the telepathic RESIST strategy to block them. And back at the Quiet Council HQ, Empath looks shocked as the Cuckoos seem to pass out.
Prodigy races over to the Krakoan, their encounter filmed on camera. 'I thought you'd be in class with the humans giving lessons in basic Krakoan to kids who used to chase us out of the Westchester Diner' Krakoan exclaims. 'No, Julian. This class is just for you!' Prodigy responds as he stands his ground. 'I'm an Omega-level mutant. What are you going to teach me by throwing -' the Krakoan begins as he sees Prodigy pick up a brick – and hurls it straight at the Krakoan's helmet. 'Nah. We're not doing this one with words' Prodigy decides as he throws a rope up towards the Krakoan, which wraps around him, and Prodigy uses his acrobatics to leap up to his former friend and holds him in place. 'WHY? What are you fighting for? Krakoa is dead! Even Professor Xavier took the fight to the humans!' the Krakoan exclaims. 'It wasn't his dream to burn' Prodigy responds.
'It belongs to all of us, Julian. We're the custodians now. Mutant culture isn't Krakoa. Mutant culture is the X-Men' Prodigy declares as he forces the Krakoan downwards, and slams him into the concrete street below.
Empath looks out the window as the rain pounds against it. 'Oh. I see. I hate you' he snaps.
Reporters and police close in around Prodigy who goes over to Ms. Marvel and asks her if she is all right. '... told you... he wanted to fight me...' Ms. Marvel responds, to which Prodigy tells her that she has to get out of here now. Ms. Marvel increases the size of her legs and strides away, while David looks at the reporters. He learns that he has been on the news for eighteen hours – apparently, the fight went national. He hears from the lawyers that Julian will be in Graymalkin prison before the end of the year – sacrificed by his own people, while he will get a bond from the university, before they use this as an excuse to revoke his tenure.
The police close in around David and take him away. He realizes that they are back at the binary – a trap set by “evil” for “good” - a plan he disrupted, but which seems designed to ensnare any mutant who tried. Which makes him begin to suspect they are not the intended prey. So, the question no longer remains what they are – mutants, all together – it's what they make of this moment they have forged – how to take their nightmare... and reignite the dream. The rain continues to beat down as Sophie nervously watches David be taken away.
