#Xilo the Defender

[heckcareoxytwit]

Everyone at Arakko are tense since Genesis (Apocalypse's wife) came along and manipulated half of the council to her side, Storm and the remaining Arakki Council members are in the room trying to figure out what to do. Kobak Never Held and Lodus Logos are arguing until Sunspot comes into the room looking battered and disheveled. Sunspot informs Storm and the Arakki mutants about the murders at the Hellfire Gala such as Frenzy, Dazzler, Jubilee, Prodigy and mainly, his best friend, Cannonball. Sunspot claims that everyone at the Gala is dead. He also mentions Jean Grey and he believes Cyclops is dead too because the X-Treehouse is on fire. He presumes Captain America might be dead as well. However, Sunspot wasn't there and he only heard the rumors about it while he was on earth at a secret meeting. He tells her about having to resist Xavier and almost being forced through a gate. Storm realizes that this was all orchestrated by Orchis for both the downfall of Krakoa and Arakko at the same time. Xilo says Genesis has Sobunar at her side and that the people will listen to him. If they oppose Genesis it will cause a civil war. Xilo asks Storm what they should do and after a pause, she declares that they have to go to war.

Cue to battle at the Valley of the Fallen where the Arakki mutants are having a civil war. Nova the non-mutant human rocket is leading the charge, calling out war commands and maneuvers on the aerial mutants. Sunspot joins him in the air and Nova tells him that this site is the choke point of the Western front. Suddenly, in the distance, they see a new character rocketing at them, Orrdon the Omega Rocket. Nova says he'll plow through their forces like a bullet if they don't head him off, but Sunspot notices he's flying over Isca's territory. Orrdon boasts he's "fully invulnerable while blasting" until he gets an unexpected arrow up into his mouth and out the top of his head. Isca, holding her bow, watches him continue to rocket out of sight and he plummets to his death. When Nova and Sunspot get surrounded by Genesis' aerial Arakki mutants, Storm comes in to blow them away before summoning her lightning to strike at the statues of Genesis and Apocalypse to block more of Genesis' army from coming through.

X-Men Red v2 #14, 2023

[tournament-of-x]

The Hole

Contestants Index

[sofiamantegafan110]

NEW X-MEN SEASON 3, EPISODE 4

EPISODE 4: ARAKKO OR BUST

A FLASH OF BLUE LIGHT ENVELOPS THE SCREEN AS OUR NINE SWORDBEARERS – BLINK, HELLION, X-23, PIXIE, ANOLE, MERCURY, M, VOLTA DOOM, AND CYPHER – APPEAR IN A GATEWAY SIMILAR TO THE ONE ON THE LAWN OF XAVIER’S. THEY LOOK AROUND AND GAPE AT THEIR SURROUNDINGS. FINALLY, CESSILY BREAKS THE SILENCE.

CESSILY: THIS IS SO COOL!

CLARICE SHUSHES HER AND TELLS EVERYONE TO BLEND IN. MAYBE THEY CAN TRY TO FIND WHO’S IN CHARGE IF THEY ACT DISCREET. VOLTA SIGHS, BEFORE SIMPLY THRUSTING HER SPEAR INTO THE AIR. A BOLT OF ELECTRICITY ARCS INTO THE SKY, AND ALL HEADS TURN TO THEM. VOLTA LOOKS OVER TO CLARICE AND TELLS HER SHE’S WELCOME.

MEGAN: NOW WHAT?

CLARICE TELLS THEM TO FOLLOW HER LEAD BEFORE RAISING HER HANDS.

CLARICE: CAN YOU POINT US TO THE GUY IN CHARGE?

JULIAN: THIS TRIP IS STARTING OUT PERFECTLY.

CUE INTRO AND CREDITS

LATER, THE TEAM IS ESCORTED BY GUARDS INTO A CITADEL. THERE, THEY ARE BROUGHT INTO THE CENTER OF A RING SURROUNDED BY TWELVE SEATED FIGURES. IN ONE SEAT IS A WOMAN WITH RED SKIN IN GOLD ARMOR NEXT TO A WOMAN WITH BLUE AND PURPLE SKIN WITH A SNAKELIKE CREATURE COILED AROUND HER BODY. NEXT TO HER IS A STRANGE MAN WITH PALE WHITE SKIN AND A PAIR OF TENTACLES ON HIS HEAD, WHO STUDIES THEM CURIOUSLY.

GUARD: PRESENTING THE GREAT RING OF ARAKKO! FIRST COMES THE TABLE OF DAWN! IN THE SEAT OF VICTORY, ISCA THE UNBEATEN! IN THE SEAT OF STALEMATE, IDYLL THE FUTURE SEER! AND IN THE SEAT OF LOSS, TARN THE UNCARING!

IN ANOTHER SEAT IS A FEMALE FIGURE COVERED BY A VEIL OF COSMIC PATTERNS WHO SITS NEXT TO A WOMAN WITH A BLACK PONYTAIL DRESSED IN LIGHT BLUE AND WHITE ARMOR. BESIDE HER IS A MALE-LOOKING CREATURE WITH LAVENDER SKIN WHO RESEMBLES AN AXOLOTL.

GUARD: NEXT IS THE TABLE OF DAY! IN THE SEAT OF ABOVE-US, LACTUCA THE KNOWER! IN THE SEAT OF ALL-AROUND-US, GENESIS! AND IN THE SEAT OF BELOW-US, SOBUNAR OF THE DEPTHS!

THE NEXT CREATURE LOOKS LIKE AN EYEBALL WITH A HEADLESS TODDLER’S BODY ON TOP OF IT. NEXT TO IT IS A CREATURE WHO RESEMBLES A CATERPILLAR AND BESIDE IT IS A MAN WITH PURPLE SKIN AND POINTED EARS WHO HAS A WARM LOOK ON HIS FACE.

GUARD: NEXT COMES THE TABLE OF DUSK! IN THE SEAT OF LAW, ORA SERRATA THE WITNESS! IN THE SEAT OF HISTORY, XILO THE FIRST DEFENDER! AND IN THE SEAT OF DREAMS, LODUS LOGOS!

NEXT IS A MALE CREATURE SHAPED LIKE AN ARMADILLO WITH ROCKS AND GRASS COMING FROM HIS BACK. NEXT TO HIM IS AN OLD, HUMAN-LOOKING MAN WITH A WHITE BEARD, AND NEXT TO HIM IS A CREATURE WITH A WOLFLIKE APPEARANCE, TWO WOLF FACES, AND A CENTAUR BODY. SITTING IN THE WAY BACK IS A FEMALE CREATURE WITH A PLANT-LIKE APPEARANCE, COVERED IN RED AND GREEN VINES.

GUARD: FINALLY, THE TABLE OF NIGHT! IN THE SEAT OF NOWHERE, KOBAK NEVER-HELD! IN THE SEAT OF NOTHING, THE FISHER KING! AND IN THE SEAT OF NOBODY, LYCAON TWO WOLVES! ALSO JOINING US IS THE VOICE OF ARAKKO ITSELF, REDROOT THE FOREST!

CESSILY: CLARICE, WE FOUND HER! WE FOUND GENESIS!

GENESIS NODS BEFORE ASKING WHO THEY ARE AND HOW THEY GOT HERE. CLARICE TELLS HER THAT THEY ARE MUTANTS FROM EARTH AND THEY COME WITH A GRAVE WARNING. BEFORE SHE CAN EVEN SPEAK, TARN SPEAKS UP, ASKING GENESIS IF THEY CAN EVEN TRUST THESE INTRUDERS. AFTER ALL, THEY HAVE NOT HEARD WORD OF THE MUTANTS OF EARTH FOR CENTURIES.

CESSILY: I GUESS ‘UNCARING’ ISN’T JUST HIS NAME…

CLARICE: YOU CAN TRUST US.

ISCA: AND WHY IS THAT, GIRL?

CLARICE TAKES A DEEP BREATH AND CESSILY MOUTHS ‘YOU GOT THIS’, FLASHING HER A THUMBS-UP.

CLARICE: BECAUSE MY NAME IS CLARICE FERGUSON. AND I AM A DESCENDANT OF EN SABAH NUR; THE GREAT WARRIOR APOCALYPSE.

THE COUNCIL GASPS WHILE GENESIS STARES AT CLARICE AS IF WHAT SHE’S SAYING IS TRUE. LODUS LOGOS LOOKS ON IN INTRIGUE, ORA SERRATA BOBS IN THE AIR NONCHALANTLY, AND ISCA LOOKS A MITE PISSED.

ISCA: THE CHILDREN LIE, SISTER! SENTENCE THEM TO-

GENESIS: WAIT, SISTER. I WISH TO HEAR THEIR STORY. SPEAK, CLARICE FERGUSON.

AND SO CLARICE TELLS HER ABOUT HOW ANNIHILATION CAME TO EARTH, HOW SHE POSSESSED APOCALYPSE, AND HOW SHE SEEKS THE CODEX PIECES TO BRING HER ARMY TO EARTH.

SOBUNAR: AND HOW DID YOU LEARN OF US?

CESSILY: BECAUSE OF HER! IDYLL! SHE SENT A SCROLL TO EARTH TELLING US ABOUT YOU GUYS AND HOW YOU NEED OUR HELP! I PROMISE, IF ANNIHILATION IS DEFEATED ONCE AND FOR ALL, HER ARMY WILL HAVE NO CHANCE!

REDROOT: ARAKKO IS DWINDLING. BUT I DON’T THINK WE SHOULD TRUST THESE OUTSIDERS. TARN IS RIGHT. IT HAS BEEN A MILLENNIA SINCE WE LAST SAW EARTH.

CLARICE: PLEASE, WE CAN HELP YOU!

DOUG: WE CAN REUNITE ARAKKO AND KRAKOA! THAT’S WHAT THEY WANT, RIGHT? TO BE WHOLE AGAIN?

ISCA STANDS UP, COMMANDING DOUG NOT TO PRETEND TO KNOW WHAT ARAKKO WANTS. MEGAN COUNTERS BACK, SAYING THAT IF ANNIHILATION CONQUERS EARTH, IT’S ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THEY GO AFTER THE ARAKKII NEXT. TARN SMIRKS, SAYING THAT WHEN THE ARMIES OF AMENTH COME, THEY WILL BE READY, AND THEY HAVE NO NEED TO THEM.

JULIAN: SO YOU’RE JUST GONNA ABANDON US?

TARN: WITH ALL DUE RESPECT, BOY, WE DO NOT KNOW YOU. WHY WOULD WE EVER HELP YOU?

JULIAN LOOKS OVER TO CLARICE, WHO QUIVERS IN PLACE.

JULIAN: TELL ‘EM, CLARICE.

CLARICE LIFTS HER HEAD, STRUGGLING TO HOLD BACK TEARS AS SHE SPEAKS.

CLARICE: BECAUSE ANNIHILATION HAS MY GIRLFRIEND. SHE’S THE LOVE OF MY LIFE AND MY REASON FOR BEING. I NEED TO SAVE HER, AND I NEED YOUR HELP. AND THE MORE WE SPEND HERE, THE MORE SHE’S SLIPPING AWAY. PLEASE, GENESIS. AS YOUR BLOOD, I ASK YOU TO HELP US. SO WE CAN BOTH SEE OUR LOVED ONES AGAIN.

A SILENCE FILLS THE ROOM AS GENESIS LOOKS AT CLARICE, PUZZLED. SUDDENLY, TARN STARTS SLOW CLAPPING.

TARN: A WONDERFUL STORY, GIRL. BUT NOW, WE MUST VOTE. I VOTE NAY.

ISCA: NAY. THE EARTHLINGS CAN FIGHT THEIR OWN BATTLES.

IDYLL SILENTLY MOTIONS THAT SHE VOTES AYE.

LACTUCA: THEIR STORY APPEALS TO ME. I VOTE AYE.

SOBUNAR: AS DO I.

ORA SERRATA: NAY.

XILO: NAY.

LODUS LOGOS: AYE.

KOBAK: THE STORY OF LOST LOVE MUST BE RECTIFIED. AYE.

LYCAON: NAY.

FISHER KING: AYE.

REDROOT: I VOTE NAY. ARAKKO HAS THRIVED FOR CENTURIES, AND IT DOES NOT NEED YOU INVADERS.

ISCA TURNS TO GENESIS.

ISCA: WELL, SISTER?

CLARICE LOOKS TO GENESIS WITH PLEADING EYES AND SHE LOOKS AROUND, UNCERTAIN.

GENESIS: I ABSTAIN.

MEGAN TURNS TO THE OTHERS, ASKING WHAT THIS MEANS. LAURA ANSWERS HER, SAYING THAT IT’S A STALEMATE. NOTHING CAN BE DECIDED. CLARICE LOOKS AROUND, DISAPPOINTED AS CESSILY WONDERS IF THEY LOST.

VOICE: MIGHT I HAVE A SAY?

SUDDENLY, VIC AND MEGAN’S SWORDS START TO GLOW AS A BEAM OF LIGHT FILLS THE ROOM. THEN, WHEN THE LIGHT RECEDES, A GORGEOUS BLONDE WOMAN IN A LONG WHITE DRESS STANDS WITH AN AIR OF AUTHORITY. THE ARAKKII COUNCIL LOOKS AT HER IN SURPRISE.

MEGAN: WHO IS THIS… GORGEOUS SPECIMEN?

MONET: I’VE READ ABOUT HER IN THE X-MEN ARCHIVES, BUT I DIDN’T THINK SHE WAS REAL. THIS IS OPAL LUNA SATURNYNE, THE UNIVERSAL MAJESTRIX OF OTHERWORLD.

SATURNYNE SMILES BEFORE ASKING IF VICTOR AND MEGAN COULD REALLY GET AWAY WITH STEALING SWORDS THAT RIGHTFULLY BELONG TO OTHERWORLD. MONET’S JAW CLENCHES AS VIC TELLS HER NOT TO BOTHER. HE BATS FOR THE OTHER TEAM.

SATURNYNE: WELL, I SAW THIS… SPECTACLE FROM OTHERWORLD. IT SEEMS LIKE YOU HAVE AN INTERESTING SITUATION.

GENESIS: YOUR WHYNESS, WE…

SATURNYNE: I WASN’T DONE.

SATURNYNE STANDS CONFIDENTLY, A HAND ON HER HIP. THEN, WITH A FLOURISH OF HER HAND, SEVERAL TAROT CARDS MATERIALIZE OUT OF THIN AIR, SPINNING AROUND HER BODY.

SATURNYNE: WELL, THE SITUATION IS VERY COMPLEX. THE MUTANTS OF EARTH NEED THE MUTANTS OF ARAKKO TO HELP THEM WITH A DEATH GODDESS FROM THE SAME PLANET THAT THE ARAKKII MUTANTS RESIDE. BUT THE ARAKKII MUTANTS ARE UNCERTAIN IF THEY WANT TO HELP. SO, I HAVE AN IDEA.

MEGAN: WHAT IS IT, YOU… YOU AMAZING AND VERY TALL SUPERMODEL OF A WOMAN?

SATURNYNE SMILES.

SATURNYNE: I PROPOSE A CONTEST. ARAKKO VERSUS KRAKOA. IF KRAKOA WINS, THE ARAKKII MUTANTS WILL HELP THEM. IF ARAKKO WINS, KRAKOA FIGHTS ANNIHILATION BY THEMSELVES. WINNER TAKE ALL.

THERE’S A PAUSE AS THE MUTANTS WHISPER TO THEMSELVES. FINALLY, CLARICE AND GENESIS STAND UP.

CLARICE: WE ACCEPT THE DEAL.

GENESIS: AS DO WE.

SATURNYNE: SPLENDID! THEN WE SHALL WAIT WHILE ARAKKO CHOOSES ITS CHAMPIONS.

ISCA: WHILE WE DECIDE, WE WILL HAVE AN ESCORT TAKE YOU TO SOME QUARTERS WHILE YOU WAIT.

SUDDENLY, IN A PUFF OF PURPLE SMOKE, A YOUNG WOMAN WITH PURPLE SKIN AND LONG WHITE HAIR, FOUR POINTED EARS AND A NIGHTCRAWLER-LIKE TAIL APPEARS OUT OF THIN AIR. SHE INTRODUCES HERSELF AS SYZYA OF THE SMOKE, AND OFFERS TO ESCORT THEM TO THEIR ROOM.

A FEW MINUTES LATER, SYZYA WALKS THEM OVER TO A DORMITORY-STYLE ROOM, AND CLARICE ASKS HER IF EVERYONE IN ARAKKO IS SO UPTIGHT. SYZYA TELLS HER THAT IT’S NOTHING PERSONAL. THE MUTANTS OF ARAKKO HAVE FOUGHT COUNTLESS BATTLES WITHOUT THE HELP OF THE MUTANTS OF EARTH, SO IT’S HARDLY BELIEVABLE.

CESSILY: SO I FIGURE THE ARMADILLO GUY IS ON OUR SIDE, AND SO’S THE FISH GUY, THE GIRL WITH THE VEIL, AND THE PURPLE GUY.

SYZYA: IT SEEMS YOUR STORY OF YOUR LOVED ONE APPEALED TO THEM. KOBAK NEVER-HELD HAS HARDLY BEEN AN ALLY SINCE THE DEATH OF HIS LOVER. AND I KNOW HE LOVED HIM GREATLY.

VIC: GOOD TO SEE THAT HOMOPHOBIA EXISTS EVEN IN AMENTH.

SYZYA LOOKS AT HIM AND SAYS THAT SHE DOESN’T KNOW WHAT HE MEANS.

MONET: WHAT ABOUT YOU? WHERE DO YOU STAND?

SYZYA: I… AM NOT SURE. I WISH FOR ARAKKO TO THRIVE, BUT, FORGIVE ME FOR SAYING THIS, I AM UNCERTAIN ABOUT TRUSTING OUTSIDERS. BUT I SUPPOSE I WOULD SUPPORT THE DECISION OF MY BROTHER-IN-MARRIAGE, THE FISHER KING, AND ALLY WITH YOU.

CESSILY: WAIT… THE OLD DUDE IS YOUR BROTHER-IN-LAW?!

MEGAN: CESSILY, HUSH.

SYZYA: THE TRUTH IS, I HAVE BEEN CURIOUS ABOUT LIFE ON EARTH. ARAKKO WILL ALWAYS BE A HOME TO ME, BUT… IT HAS BEEN A DREAM OF MINE. SO, CLARICE, IS IT TRUE WHAT YOU SAID?

CLARICE SIGHS AND SAYS THAT IT’S TRUE. APOCALYPSE IS HER ANCESTOR. SHE’S ONLY JUST LEARNED ABOUT IT, BUT NOW THAT SHE’S REALLY MET HIM, HE SEEMS LIKE A NICE GUY. SHE FIGURES MAYBE AFTER SO LONG, HE’S FINALLY DECIDED TO SEE THINGS DIFFERENTLY.

SYZYA: AND WHAT ABOUT YOUR LOVED ONE? TELL ME ABOUT HER.

CLARICE REFUSES, BUT CESSILY TELLS HER THAT SHE CAN SEE HOW HARD IT IS BEING WITHOUT SOFIA. SHE FIGURES THAT MAYBE TALKING ABOUT HER WILL HELP CLARICE FOCUS ON THE TASK AT HAND. CLARICE TAKES A DEEP BREATH AND LOOKS AROUND.

CLARICE: WELL… WHERE DO I START? SHE’S… WELL, SHE’S GORGEOUS. LIKE THAT SATURNYNE CHICK ONLY MUCH HOTTER. SHE’S BEAUTIFUL AND GRACEFUL AND EVERY TIME SHE DANCES, IT’S LIKE SHE’S IN ANOTHER WORLD. SHE TOLD ME HER FAVORITE SONG IS ‘INVISIBLE’ BY HUNTER HAYES, AND IT REMINDED HER THAT WE ALL HAVE A VOICE, AND SHE DECIDED TO USE HER VOICE AS BEST SHE COULD. SHE’S SO KIND AND SHE BELIEVES EVERYONE DESERVES A SECOND CHANCE. SHE HELPS PEOPLE COME OUT OF THEIR COMFORT ZONES AND SHE DOES IT IN THE BEST WAY POSSIBLE. SOMETIMES, I DON’T THINK I DESERVE HER. I DON’T THINK I DESERVE ANY OF YOU.

MONET: BULLSHIT.

MEGAN: POPPYCOCK!

CESSILY: THEY’RE RIGHT, CLARICE. YOU’RE A GOOD PERSON, AND YOU DESERVE ALL OF US. LOOK AT WHAT HAPPENED IN MUTANT TOWN. YOU COMMANDED US LIKE A WELL-OILED MACHINE. PEOPLE LOVE US. I MEAN, LOOK AT THESE POSTS FROM V_CORREA IN BUENOS AIRES, OR KAWAIITRISTA666 FROM CHICAGO. MUTANTS ARE COMING OUT OF THE WOODWORK TO REACH OUT TO US. AND EVEN HUMANS LIKE US.

MEGAN: YEAH, CAN’T FORGET ABOUT HORSEGIRLBECCA16. SHE SAID I’M ‘A VERY PRETTY GOBLIN’ FOR SOME STRANGE REASON. I LIKE IT.

CLARICE LAUGHS AND THANKS THEM BEFORE THE DOOR OPENS. IDYLL WALKS IN AND SYZYA LOOKS AT HER BEFORE SAYING THAT THE COUNCIL IS READY FOR THEM. CESSILY ASKS WHY SHE DIDN’T JUST SAY SO, AND SYZYA SAYS THAT IDYLL CANNOT SPEAK EVER SINCE HER TONGUE WAS CUT OUT BY TARN THE UNCARING. MEGAN THEN COMMENTS THAT SHE REALLY DOES NOT LIKE THAT GUY.

AS THEY WALK, MONET TELLS VOLTA THAT SHE’S A PART OF THE GROUP TOO. SHE CAN JUMP IN WHENEVER SHE LIKES. VOLTA HUFFS, TELLING HER THAT SHE’S NOT HERE TO MAKE FRIENDS. SHE’S HERE TO PROTECT THIS NEW ALLIANCE BETWEEN XAVIER’S AND LATVERIA. MEGAN ROLLS HER EYES, BEFORE WALKING AWAY.

AS THEY ENTER THE ROOM, THEY ARE FACED WITH SEVERAL ARAKKII WARRIORS. GENESIS, REDROOT, AND ISCA ARE AMONG THEM, AS WELL AS A GRAY-SKINNED MAN IN A HOOD WHO HAS NO SHIRT ON, A BUFF BLUE-SKINNED MAN IN WHITE ARMOR, A NUDE YOUNG MAN WITH WHITE SKIN, A WOMAN IN ARMOR THAT HIDES HER FACE, A BIG CREATURE WITH A CROCODILE’S HEAD AND A LUMBERING FIGURE, A WOMAN IN BLACK WHOSE HEAD IS ALIGHT WITH FIRE, AND A MALE FIGURE DRESSED IN A BLACK EGYPTIAN JACKAL’S MASK.

TARN: WE HAVE CHOSEN OUR CHAMPIONS. WIELDING THE VERMILLION SWORD IS WAR, CHILD OF APOCALYPSE AND COMMANDER OF FIRE. BEARING THE SWORD COLONY IS HER SON, THE SUMMONER, WHOSE SKIN CANNOT BE CUT. THE MURAMASA BLADE IS IN POSSESSION OF SOLEM, A ROGUEISH MUTANT WHOSE SKIN IS MADE FROM THE FINEST ADAMANTIUM. HOLDING THE SWORD PURITY IS THE WHITE SWORD OF THE IVORY SPIRE, MASTER HEALER AND EXTERNAL AND LORD OF THE ONE HUNDRED CHAMPIONS. WIELDING THE SWORD ALLUVIUM IS REDROOT THE FOREST, THE VOICE OF ARAKKO. HOLDING THE BLACK BONE OF AMDUAT, I PRESENT DEATH, CHILD OF APOCALYPSE WHOSE EYES CAN KILL WITH A LOOK. WIELDING THE SWORD MERCY IS ISCA THE UNBEATEN, WHO CANNOT LOSE. HOLDING THE SWORD SEDUCER IS BEI THE BLOOD MOON, A WARRIOR WHO WIELDS THE DOOM NOTE. NEXT, WE HAVE POGG UR-POGG, A BEAST OF AMENTH AND A STRONG MERCENARY. FINALLY, WIELDING THE TWILIGHT BLADE IS OUR LADY GENESIS, EMPRESS OF ARAKKO.

THE INTENSE-LOOKING ARAKKII STAND IN FRONT OF THE NEW X-MEN, AND CESSILY IMMEDIATELY COMMENTS THAT THEY’RE FUCKED. CLARICE THEN UNSHEATHES APOCALYPSE’S SWORD AND WALKS TO THE CENTER TO FACE SATURNYNE.

CLARICE: WHAT’S FIRST?

SATURNYNE SMIRKS AND SAYS THAT SHE WILL CONSULT THE CARDS FOR THAT. WITH THAT, HER TAROT CARDS COME INTO FOCUS AGAIN, AND EVENTUALLY, TWO OF THEM LAND IN HER HANDS. SHE SHOWS THEM TO THE GOBSMACKED NEW X-MEN AND THE INTRIGUED ARAKKII, HER SMILE NEVER LEAVING HER FACE.

SATURNYNE: OUR FIRST CHALLENGE: PIXIE VERSUS ISCA THE UNBEATEN… TO THE DEATH. LET THE GAMES BEGIN.

[newwarriorsforever]

Richard Rider as Nova appears twice in a cameo on X-Men Red comic. 

Richard Rider is on two pages of the comic. This issue of X-Men Red is the tie-in comic to A.X.E.: Judgment Day event which is why there are intense scenes. As a liaison of the Galactic Council for Earth (and maybe Mars), Nova tries to protect the civilians on Mars from the Eternals’ death machines by evacuating them, but it was partially successful. The Krakoan gates were destroyed and seven Kymellian Priests were killed before he could save them. 

- - X-Men Red #5 (2022)

[rockthrowingman]

#WormGang

[ihatepeopleohnooo]

Spoilers for X-Men Red #5 and Immortal X-Men #5

Red #5

- this issue is so packed with deliciousness

- we finally get to see all the Great Ring in action (even though they got stomped)

- I still find it extremely unclever for Uranos to just be 'immune' to reality warping? Like tf how did he just ignore Ora Serrata's erasing stare?? She erases gods for breakfast for god sake. And how did he even manage to defeat Legion who can manipulate reality and manifest other powers at will??? Legion of X #6 better be giving answers.

- RIP Idyll, you deserved better (mutilated by Tarn, beheaded by Isca, just generally unappreciated lol)

- Also wtf Isca you bitch. But I saw that one coming a mile away. I wonder if on top of making her go to the winning side, her power also indirectly influenced her to not be near Uranos? Like she got teleported away by Nightcrawler because she switched sides and killed Idyll, so I think it also saved her from being killed by Uranos (not that she can die from that I don't think)

- Sobunar and Lactuca defending Arakko is so epic. Idk how Isca can survive against a literal ocean of monsters but oh well. I wonder if they're both alive. I hope so, but there's still a chance Uranos teleported away and finished them off in the 40 min that he has leftleft (also the fact that he bodied 4 Great Ring Members + Cable + Brand 💀)

- So it's confirmed by the end of the chapter that Table Dusk is intact although severely wounded (idk how Ora is gonna function after being gouged and idk how long Xilo will take to replenish his insects but they're both not looking good. Lodus Logos on the other hand seems way better than the rest). Table Day is still in question though I'm presuming that they're all alive since Sobunar and Lactuca aren't shown dead and Storm is on Earth. The only casualty is really Table Dawn. They lost Isca and Idyll.

- Magneto is so badass. I knew he didn't die when Judgement Day #1 came out. Twitter people all calling Gillen anti Semitic and stuff are just overreactive attention seekers who reads too much between the lines. Magneto is literally to angry to die. Even without a heart he's using his magnetism to control the blood in his body to keep flowing. That is so fucking hot. He's the real Omega Silver Daddy 🥵.

- "Such strategies are not the business of Table Dusk. This is war. A war we are losing. And so the Seat of Loss takes command" God damn I'm scared and turned on.

- a bunch of other things that caught my attention: Khora finally joined the Brotherhood?; Fisher King is definitely one of the 3 Night Seats; I find it hilarious that Brand tried to avoid Resurrection but died anyway lol that's what you get you double faced bitch.

Immortal #5

- Exodus is gay (or at least into men)???? I live for it. I hope this gets explored more.

- Winter Seat is indeed the Rainbow Gang. They're the seats of murderous gays. I Stan!

- Exodus was drawn really attractively in the panels of this issue. Idk what about him that just seems like a romantic soft lover boy from some angles.

- Exodus and his protectiveness and adoration towards Hope is sooo comedic. They make the best duo lol.

- I love how this issue showcases how powerful the telepaths are in the Quiet Council. Charles singlehandedly defended 12 people from the Uni Mind of the Eternals while Exodus, Emma, and Hope just sheared through their psychic defenses.

- also Exodus just bodying 2 Hex Eternals like they're nothing is just 👌👌

[littlepatchofhell]

Introducing: The Noble Captive, Xilo Graphia

The Promise of Youth —†—†—†—

Before Vanita’s reign, Xilo was an initiate of the Temple of the Stag Goddess. While worship of the primordial god of creation had fallen out of fashion among the rising fervor for the Sun God, those touched by the Stag Goddess are still honored as holders of sacred knowledge, negotiators and law makers.

Those initiated into the temple clergy are expected to divest themselves of all titles, lands, wealth and gender. Though people of all ages are accepted by the temple’s ranks, the disciples of the Stag Goddess are most often initiated during puberty.

Xilo was quite insistent on becoming a devotee at fourteen, making them the youngest initiate to date.

They advanced within the ranks of the temple quickly, earning the respect of their superiors and the pride of their family.

Aside from the customary studies of ritual, justice and lore, they also specialize in swordplay. In these peaceful times, sword combat is an artform rather than a means of injuring someone or defending oneself.

Even after Vanita’s bloody coronation left them blind and grief stricken, Xilo Graphia remains an artist with a blade.

Servant of the Empress —†—†—†—

As caring for the Empress of Astuvia has proved to be unpleasant and often fatal, the maids and servants of the Imperial Palace refuse to do it. Xilo Graphia, having no choice in the matter, oversees all tasks and duties required by Vanita Mori.

They assist in bathing, dressing and feeding her. They keep her dog fed, walked and watered. On more than one occasion, they have had to carry the Empress up and down flights of stairs.

When Vanita is ill, and she is will more often than she is well, Xilo is responsible for her care and the minor, administrative duties that the Empress can’t manage.  

Many find it odd that the person with the most reason to kill the Empress is the one most responsible for her livelihood.

No one can deny that their position of subservience to the Empress is a powerful symbol of Vanita’s dominance.

Shorn —†—†—†—

In Astuvian culture, people of all genders and stations in society are expected to keep their hair long and tied up. How one’s hair is done and who it is done by can say a lot about a person’s familial ties and place in society. States of disarray or hair loss have negative connotations that most Astuvians would rather avoid.

Xilo has kept their hair cut short since their family died. For most Astuvians, short hair is a mark of disgrace, a sign that the wearer is unable to make social bonds either due to their own faults or a trauma inflicted on them.

For Xilo, it is a symbol of their unending grief. A grief they maintain every day. Certain members of the Astuvian elite find it poetic.

[thehollowprince]

THE GREAT RING OF ARAKKO

Spoilers for JUDGMENT DAY #1

After that opening issue of A.X.E.: JUDGMENT DAY, I'm curious as to who of the Great Ring survived Uranos' attack on Arakko. So let's just go through and guess who did or didn't survive.

1. Storm - we know she's alive. She was with the Quiet Council when the attack happened, so she lives to fight another day, and holds onto her title as one of the few mutants who have NEVER died.

2. Isca the Unbeaten - obviously alive. Her power wouldn't allow for anything else.

3. Magneto - I'm leaning toward still alive. I mean, for one thing, it's Magneto! And on the other hand, ITS MAGNETO! They're not going to kill off everyone's favorite mutant grandpa, especially not immediately after he took resurrection off the table.

4. Idyll the Future Seer - I'm leaning towards dead. We have Destiny back and at the peak of her abilities, and there's only room for one mutant Prophet in the pages of the X-Men comics. Also doesn't help that this character hasn't said a word since they were introduced (and yes! I am aware that Tarn "stole" her voice. My point still stands.)

5. Sobunar of the Depths - probably dead.

6. Xilo the First Defender - also probably dead.

Note: it's not that I want either of these two dead, but if you've read comics as long as I have, you learn to spot canon fodder when you see them.

8. Lodus Logos - probably dead. Like Sobunar and Xilo, I don't want this guy to be dead, but they haven't really done anything with his character since he was introduced. Which is a shame, because his power alone is one of the most intriguing.

7. Ora Serrata - alive. She's a big part of LEGION OF X, so I don't see them killing her off.

9. Lactuca the Knower - unknown. This is the one I could see going either way, if I'm being honest. Like, on one hand, it would throw a wrench into everything if you had a character that just KNOWS EVERYTHING. But on the other hand, I could see her just getting up to go to the bathroom just before the attack, just because.

So...

We'll see, I guess.

[omniversalmajestrix-stcroix]

Lactuca the Knower, Sobunar of the Depths, and Xilo the First Defender | Champions of the Great Ring of Arakko

[bigskydreaming]

thehollowprince

Maybe he was lying about being a non-mutant? Maybe he's trying to get a feel for Mags and how this whole situation will play out?

Well technically the thing is he never actually claimed to be a non-mutant or human. He just said he didn't have any powers. So my guess is that his powers have some kind of mental/psychological component or crutch that currently means he's unable to access or utilize them, except maybe under certain conditions? 

I mean, the Fisher King of legend is tied to the land.....as he ails, the land he rules over declines sympathetically/symbiotically. It was a twist on divine mandate.....his personal injury was in the original legends a kind of symbolic wound that implied things about his Right to Rule....and because the land he ruled over was thus by extension not ruled by someone Worthy, it suffered as a result.

Now take into account the fact that multiple Arakki characters have referred to Arakko as ‘The Broken Land’ (the Great Ring member Xilo is called Xilo, First Defender of This Broken Land....and the current arc of X-Men Red had promo materials talking about A Broken Throne for a Broken Land).....and my guess is the Fisher King’s powers include some kind of connection to Arakko as a whole. 

And thus his current powerlessness is symptomatic of either something specifically wrong with Arakko itself, or there’s some kind of character/emotional flaw in the Fisher King that’s preventing him from using his powers and fulfilling whatever duty or obligation he’s supposed to have as a member of the Night Table....with this impacting Arakko and its people overall.

[tournament-of-x]

The Tournament of X

Contestants Index

[tournament-of-x]

The Tournament of X

Contestants Index

[tournament-of-x]

The Hole

Contestants Index

[heckcareoxytwit]

A preview of X-Men Red #14

X-MEN RED #14

AFTER THE FALL! As the Brotherhood reels from the cataclysmic events of the Hellfire Gala, Genesis takes advantage of the chaos—and declares war! Two vast mutant armies clash, and Arakko’s idols fall…but this is only the beginning of a conflict that will remake the Red Planet. And whatever happened to Isca the Unbeaten? Written by: Al Ewing Art by: Yıldıray Çınar, Federico Blee Cover by: Stefano Caselli, Jesus Aburtov Page Count: 28 Pages Release Date: August 16, 2023

Nice to see Richard Rider as a non-mutant leading the charge for the flying Arakki Mutants.

[heckcareoxytwit]

Prelude to Arakko Civil War

Storm and the Arakki mutants are having their council meeting when Genesis, the wife of Apocalypse, turns up. The mutants at the Arakki table had different reactions to Genesis' presence - Jon Ironfire the horned mutant reacted with hostility to Genesis. Storm and Lodus Logos are apprehensive. Lycaon the wolf-centaur was impressed with her that he wags his tail like a dog according to the text. Lactuca doesn't care. Kobak the porcupine mutant is ready to fight her. Sobunar the newt mutant could feel his inner ocean churning uncomfortably inside his body. Xilo the caterpillar mutant was trying to predict Genesis' actions. And lastly, Ora Serrata the giant eyeball mutant was judging Genesis.

Throughout the whole issue, Genesis spent her time standing there smugly and manipulating the Arakki mutants in the council to her side by gaslighting their insecurities with the help of her magic staff. Those who swayed to Genesis' side are Sobunar, Lycaon and Ora Serrata. Jon Ironfire verbally attacks Genesis but he gets silenced by the vines. Kobak and Storm strongly opposed Genesis for gaslighting them and silencing her opponents who try to accuse her. Unfortunately, Storm gets interrupted by Sobunar who splashed water at her face. Meanwhile, Lodus Logos could not stand watching at the sidelines that he turns to Lactuca, telling her that they must do something. Lactuca responds by teleporting Storm, Kobak, Xilo, Jon Ironfire and Lodus Logos from the council ring before the big brawl happens.

X-Men Red v2 #13, 2023

[heckcareoxytwit]

A preview of X-Men Red #13

X-MEN RED #13

SHE’S BACK! Genesis once again walks the island she ruled for millennia—with the Annihilation Staff in her hand. But what is in her heart? Is the return of the Mother of Arakko to be celebrated—or feared? As the Fall of X closes in, the Great Ring must decide…or risk their own fall from grace.

Written by: Al Ewing Art by: Jacopo Camagni, Federico Blee Cover by: Stefano Caselli, Jesus Aburtov Page Count: 28 Pages Release Date: July 19, 2023