Issue+80+-+'How+to+Save+a+Life'


 * Issue 80 - 'How to Save a Life' **




 * Plot**

After the soccer game between the top teams of Academy X and Avengers Academy, Mac and Hank Pym receive messages from the Avengers on their cell phones (Mac as a reserve Avenger and Hank as a founding Avenger). According to the message, the thousands of Santa Muerte worshippers gathering in Los Angeles have disappeared! Mac knows it must be connected to Sekhmet’s growing army in the dimension she calls Aleph. Mac turns to the eXalts and says Sekhmet must be stopped and they will travel to Aleph tomorrow to stop her. At that point, Bastienne pulls a gem from a pocket. It glows purple, and suddenly she is wearing the garb of the goddess Bastet! Evan steps to her side. She says, “His general has spoken – our Lord must arise!,” and in a flash of light the two powerful mutants are gone. Bastienne has been loyal to Sekhmet this entire time! And Evan, one of the most powerful mutants alive, is now in Sekhmet’s clutches! Following Bastienne’s transformation and disappearance, the eXalts are in shock. David realizes Bastienne took the same deal Sekhmet offered him – she has become the Egyptian goddess Bastet. Liam can’t believe the woman he was in a relationship with was actually a goddess. He suddenly understands the conversation he had with Bastienne when she asked if he trusted her. David says he’s better off not trusting any of them. Sam realizes she didn’t know the truth about Bastienne because of the damage Cerebra did to her mental powers. Dagan wants to believe that Bastienne (who is a mother figure to her) is still good. Is there a chance she’s really just a double agent? David doubts it – the deal Sekhmet offered him seemed permanent. Sam asks him, “like hammer permanent?”, referring to the time he was possessed by Runak after taking the Norse god’s hammer. The group wonders if Evan is being mind controlled. As Apocalypse’s clone, he has the powerful mutant’s power suite and would be a dangerous opponent. Based on the challenge before them, Sam says they need reinforcements. Sam and David explain the threat to Hank Pym (AKA Giant Man) and Tigra (the headmasters of Avengers Academy) and recruit them for help against Sekhmet. The rest of the Avengers Academy staff (including Laura “X-23” Kinney) will remain behind to look after their students. Mac contacts Heather Cameron, CEO of X-Corporation: Los Angeles (codename Lifeguard), who agrees to go along on the mission. Liam talks to Glob Herman and Wicked, two Academy X graduates that remained on Utopia, that Liam has been training to become domestic police officers. Wicked is concerned how her spirit powers might function on Aleph, since Liam’s spirit powers have been affected there (he takes the physical form of the spirits he channels). Could her spirits become physical? Glob Herman agrees to go on the mission, however. Lastly, Dagan recruits her boyfriend, Julian (AKA Hellion). The team will be made up of Phantasma (team leader), Mustang, Mystic, Glimmer, Primal, Giant Man, Tigra, Lifeguard, Glob Herman, and Hellion. Through discussions with his teammates, David works on developing a plan. Ruth says they should focus on the artifacts. Mac relates what he knows of the two artifacts Sekhmet has acquired: the Orb of Ra and the Ruby Scarab. The Ruby Scarab can enhance strength/durability, create shields, generate mystical energy blasts, and grant flight, teleportation, and the ability to drain life energy from others on contact. It can also teleport people or places between dimensions, including entire cities. The Orb of Ra can raise the dead, take command of the living, and summon powerful spirits. It was created to prevent Hathor from being possessed by Sekhmet. Mac realizes they can use the Orb to drive the spirit of Sekhmet from Georgie. David now has a plan: they must get the Orb of Ra at any cost. David says he will use his light snares to grab it from Sekhmet, or Liam can channel the spirit of the chameleon to use stealth to snatch it from her. Dagan can nullify or steal Sekhmet’s mutant powers. The rest of the eXalts and allies will hold off the other Egyptian gods. Once they have the Orb, they will give it to Mac who will use his arcane knowledge to use the Orb’s magic to depower Sekhmet. They discuss other details. Given the Orb’s ability to control the living, David wonders if they should bring Magneto’s helmet. But if the mind control if magical nature instead of from a mutant ability, it may not even work – and in the worst case scenario, it could end up in enemy hands. There is then a great debate about bringing reserve eXalt members Mercy (Sublime) and Ethan (Subsume). David is adamant that they not bring students along on dangerous missions. He reminds the group that they’ve followed that rule since Joni’s death. The only exceptions were when Mercy and Ethan showed up in the middle of battles against their will due to an unknown force. Mac says to mark the occasion – he agrees with David. Sam is also inclined to agree. Dagan asks why the siblings are even reserve eXalts if they aren’t brought along on dangerous missions like this one. Liam agrees – they know the risk, and if they’re willing to go they should come along. After all, if the eXalts fail on this mission they will end up in danger anyway. But the vote is 3-2 against bringing Mercy and Ethan, and even though Sam considers changing her vote, she goes with her gut and decides to leave them behind. Mac completes the spell he previously used to open a portal to Aleph. This time he modifies it to keep the portal open, but the portal will require a password (“egress”). He opens the portal in a vacant home he scried using the Orb of Agamotto. The group steps through the portal. But instead of arriving in the vacant home, the team appears in the middle of the courtyard before the pyramid temple. They are surrounded by thousands of empowered cultists and face eight Egyptian gods: Anubis, Horus, Isis, Khonshu, Osiris, Ptah, Ra, and Sobek! The group realizes that Isis is actually Cynthia (AKA Mama, the leader of the Santa Muerte cult in Oakland) – somehow the sunlight in Aleph doesn’t bother the vampire. Standing next to Isis is her son, Carom! Has Carom betrayed the group, as Bastienne did? Sekhmet and Bastet flank Genesis (Evan, the clone of Apocalypse) on the balcony at the top of the pyramid while Sekhmet and Bastet’s grandmother, Sophie, stands in the shadows behind them. The eXalts recall how their last portal to Aleph was diverted somehow and it’s happened again – it’s a trap and they’re under attack! Sehkmet pulls the Ruby Scarab from a chain around her neck and points it at Mystic. It draws red energy from Mystic’s body. He realizes he can no longer fly! Sekhmet’s artifact grows even stronger. Ra, the resurrected clone of David now possessed by Runak’s spirit and wielding his hammer, flies straight for Mustang. He swings the mighty weapon and connects, badly hurting Mustang. He says, “There can only be one of us!” The secondary team brought along (Giant Man, Tigra, Lifeguard, Glob Herman, and Hellion) engages with several of the gods, drawing off Khonshu, Osiris, Ptah, and Sobek. Hellion raises telekinetic barriers keeping the empowered cultists at bay while the others each face off against a god. Genesis, wearing his completed set of power-amplifying armor, rises from his throne. He fires energy blasts at each of the remaining eXalts (Phantasma, Mustang, Mystic, Glimmer, and Primal). Carom attempts to deflect the blasts, proving he’s still loyal to his teammates. He can’t deflect them all, however. His mother, Isis, shoots Carom a look. Carom smoothly lies that he was attempting to deflect the blasts that missed back at the eXalts and failed. His cover is secure for now. The other Egyptian gods engage the eXalts. Horus, a man with a falcon-like head and wings, flies to Primal. Primal is channeling the spirits of the crocodile and chameleon. In Aleph the spirits manifest physically – he has a crocodile-like head and his form seems to disappear, chameleon-like, against the background. Horus’ magical vision sees through the ruse, however. He attacks with his Khopesh and wounds Primal, stunning him. Isis draws upon her moon magic and creates a force field around herself. Anubis, a jackal-headed man wielding a spear, attacks Mystic. Phantasma deflects the attack back at Ra. The weapon stabs deep into Ra’s torso, dropping him in one shot! Glimmer flies to the balcony to engage Sekhmet, hoping to nullify her mutant powers. Bastet teleports through the shadows in front of Sekhmet, blocking Glimmer’s attack! Primal channels the spirit of the hawk instead of the chameleon and flies over to Sekhmet. He grabs her staff, which is topped by the Orb of Ra. He tries to wrest the staff from Sekhmet’s grasp, but the lion goddess is too strong. Bastet puts a hand on Sekhmet’s shoulder and teleports the two of them into the shadows next to Sophie. Primal is frustrated that his lover is working against him. Phantasma uses telekinesis to grab the staff, but Sekhmet evades. Meanwhile, in the courtyard, Mystic grabs onto Anubis and drains his foe’s energy, exhausting him. Mystic’s body then goes rigid as Sekhmet uses the Ruby Scarab to draw his remaining magical power from him. Still at his throne, Genesis blasts each of the eXalts once more. Glimmer and Mystic are hit. Mustang creates a light snare to grab the Orb, but misses. Horus takes advantage of Mustang’s distraction to attack him with his khopesh. Mustang, already badly hurt, drops. Isis tries to mentally control Phantasma, but fails. Anubis attacks Phantasma with his spear. The eXalts team leader is unable to deflect the blow and is hurt. Primal flies over to Sekhmet and tries to grab onto the lion goddess, but she nimbly evades his attacks. Bastet attacks Glimmer, who is still trying to nullify Sekhmet’s powers. Glimmer’s force field holds Bastet at bay. Phantasma once again tries to grab the staff from Sekhmet – and this time she’s successful! The staff flies over to Mystic. Mystic grabs the Orb from the top of the staff. Sophie desperately casts a spell to stop him, but fails. Mystic absorbs the energy from the artifact. He glows yellow with energy! Sekhmet teleports next to Mystic and grabs the Orb from his grasp, but she’s too late – he’s already absorbed the energy. He now has the ability to depower her! Genesis blasts each of the eXalts, but misses. Glimmer and Primal attack the young clone, but his armor protects him. Bastet urges her lord to retreat, but he refuses. Bastet then tells Glimmer and Primal to run, but they also refuse. Horus and Anubis hit Phantasma from behind, stunning her. Isis tries her mental powers on Mystic once more and is successful! The mage runs away from Sekhmet. Carom teleports him back into the fight, ostensibly so Sekhmet can finish him, but really so Mystic can depower her. Sekhmet swings at Mystic with the staff, stunning him. Genesis hits several of the eXalts with his mystic blasts, badly hurting Glimmer. Horus finishes off Phantasma by knocking her out. Primal grabs Glimmer and teleports next to Mystic. They need to depower Sekhmet. It’s now or never! Bastet teleports next to Mystic to stop him. She slightly injures the mage. Mystic shakes off the stun and Isis’ mental effect. He’s now standing next to Sekhmet and Bastet. He realizes he can use the Orb’s power only once. He can either drive the spirit of Sekhmet from Georgie or the spirit of Bastet from Bastienne – not both! Who will he save? Bastet sees Mystic’s indecision and whispers to him: “Save her.” Mystic says, “Sorry, Bast,” and grabs Sekhmet. There is a flash of yellow light and time seems to stand still. When the light fades, Sekhmet’s determined expression is replaced by one of confusion and fear. Mystic was successful – the spirit of Sekhmet has been expelled! Georgie collapses into Bastet's arms. With the rest of the eXalts badly injured or unconscious, and the remaining gods ready to continue the attack, Carom pushes his mutant ability to the limit and teleports his teammates away from the courtyard. He’s able to grab Georgie as well, but he’s forced to leave behind their secondary team, as well as Bastet... The group realizes they are at a cave entrance. They see Aleph in the distance across the desert. Mac uses energy stolen from Anubis to heal everyone. George is in shock. David takes the Ruby Scarab from Georgie’s neck and tries to shove it into Mac so he can regain his powers. Mac tries to reabsorb the artifact, but only succeeds in letting the Ruby Scarab absorb the remainder of his magical powers. Now he can’t even drain energy or heal anymore! The scarab has absorbed even his mutant abilities! With no other choice, Mac puts the chain around his neck and wears the Ruby Scarab. It’s the only way he can use its powers now. The other artifact – the Orb of Ra – is dark. All of its energies were used to expel Sekhmet and save Georgie. Georgie finally speaks. In a soft voice, she says her spirit was blended with Sekhmet. She’s aware of everything that happened. She knows the others won’t stop now that she’s gone. Sophie will still push Genesis to become Apocalypse and rule over the Earth. The other Egyptian gods will support them. Even though she was Apocalypse’s most powerful general, another will take her place. It could be Sophie or another god. David wonders if Sam can just use her telepathy to turn Evan’s mind into mush. Sam says no – even if she were willing to mentally assault their student (which she isn’t), Evan is too powerful a telepath to stop. If he could bend Plex to his will, there’s no way she could stop him. Dagan agrees. They should try talking to Evan instead. Suddenly a noise stops the conversation. From deeper in the cave a figure emerges. It’s Rafé, AKA Ptah! He was last seen attacking Giant Man, Tigra, Lifeguard, Glob Herman, and Hellion! Sam quickly scans Rafé’s mind and discovers Ptah’s presence is missing. It’s truly Rafé, not Ptah! Rafé explains that he was possessed by the Egyptian god, but when Sekhmet teleported ten thousand Santa Muerte followers to Aleph, the strain of controlling so many minds meant she lost control of several followers, including himself. He was aware of everything Ptah had done, but he had no control. He realized hundreds of Sekhmet’s followers were likewise freed from her control. In the middle of the night he rounded up those who had been freed from her power and fled into the desert. They found these caves to hide inside. Carom had found the same caves while exploring the dimension. Three hundred former cultists are hiding deeper in the caves. Two hundred of them had been empowered by the Orb of Ra. The group sees an opportunity – Rafé can lead his followers into battle at Aleph to create a distraction while the eXalts stop Sophie, Genesis, and the Egyptian gods. Rafé agrees, as long as they don’t leave him behind. He says they should wait for the cover of night to launch their attack. Sam wants to go back immediately while Aleph is in disarray from the recent conflict. But it’s too risky – long minutes have already passed and their teammates are likely already captured. They agree to let Mac use the Orb of Agamotto to scry on Aleph to plan their attack. When they strike, Mac and Dagan can drain some energy from Rafé’s non-empowered followers. Suddenly they realize they’ve been discussing their plan with their comms on. If Bastet still has her comm, she could be listening in! At that point, Bastet teleports into the cave! David and Carom immediately attack the cat goddess, but she nimbly evades. Dagan tells everyone to stop fighting – she came alone so she’s here to talk. In the ensuing lull, Bastet walks over to Mac and thanks him for listening to her and saving Georgie. Sam reads Bastet’s mind and finds that she’s not possessed. Her mind is a blending of Bastienne’s and Bastet’s. David says Bastet can’t be trusted. Bastet retorts that he’s being a hypocrite as he once chose Runak’s power. Bastet explains that when she was conceived her grandmother Sophie performed a ritual to turn her and her sister Georgie into Apocalypse’s “seeds.” They were made into hosts for the Egyptian gods Bastet and Sekhmet. That’s why Bastienne and Georgie’s minds merged with the goddesses instead of merely being possessed as Rafé was. The other Egyptian gods will be easier to drive from their hosts. David agrees that Sophie is behind all this and the real problem, but for now Evan is the main target as he’s the most powerful threat. Bastet believes he can be convinced to side against Sophie. She had been helping him train, but she believes he’s not ready to come into his full power yet. Sophie has pushed him too far too quickly and she needs to be stopped. David agrees to let her talk to Evan, but he wants Sam along as well since she’s Evan’s team leader. Mac finishes scrying Aleph. Evan and Sophie are in the pyramid temple. Some of the Egyptian gods are with them, while others are scattered around the city. Isis used her vampiric mental powers to reassert control over half of Sekhmet’s followers, but the other half have hidden themselves among the homes or escaped into the desert. Mac sees that the secondary team was captured and is chained in the chamber where David was once imprisoned. Khonsu is guarding them. The group develops a plan. Rafé’s followers will attack to cause a distraction. Bastet and Sam will talk to Evan once he’s alone. The rest of the eXalts will free the secondary team. The group enacts the plan. Upon nightfall Rafé leads his followers towards Aleph. Bastet teleports Sam near the temple, then sneaks her inside. She waits for the distraction, and once Rafé’s followers attack a hue and cry is raised. Bastet and Sam watch the Egyptian gods spill out to the courtyard to lead the defense of Aleph. Sophie leaves the temple at the top of the pyramid, leaving Evan alone. Bastet and Sam hurry to the room. Sam enters, but before Bastet can follow her the door slams shut and locks. Sophie is standing there, staring down her granddaughter. In the courtyard below, David leads Mac, Dagan, Carom, and Primal towards the temple during the chaos of the attack. They hope to sneak into the temple to free the others, but the Egyptian god Horus notices them and alerts the others. The battle is on! <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">This time the eXalts have surprise. Mystic sees Ptah among the gods and realizes it’s really Seth using a disguise. Bastet warned him that the evil god was the real threat. Mystic sends a gout of fiery breath at Seth, but misses him. Mustang and Glimmer hit Seth with light blasts, slightly injuring him. Meanwhile, at the top of the temple Sam is alone with Evan. She’s concerned about Bastet locked outside, but she has little time. She walks over to a confused Evan and says he has to stop working with Sophie. Evan says he just wants to end war, sickness, starvation and death. Sam says he has noble goals, but it’s not worth taking everyone’s free will. Outside the door, Sophie demands to know what Bastet is doing. Bastet says Sophie is pushing Evan too far – he’s too young and is not ready for this much power and responsibility. She’ll destroy him! Sophie retorts that he’s ready and will be lord of them all. When she sees that Bastet will stand against her, Sophie begins chanting. Bastet strikes her own grandmother, stopping the spell. <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">In the courtyard below, the Egyptian gods press the attack. Anubis attacks Glimmer with his spear. Carom opens a portal and redirects the attack at Seth, hurting the evil god. Primal and Osiris attack each other. Primal misses with his bite, but evades Osiris’ crook and flail. Sobek, the god with the alligator head, attacks Glimmer but misses. Ra / Runak creates a tornado around Mustang, Mystic and Glimmer. They are hit by powerful winds and lashing sand and cobblestones. Mustang and Glimmer’s force fields deflect most of the attack, though Mystic is more badly hurt. Carom moves behind a pillar for shelter. Mustang ignores Ra and hits Seth. Glimmer heals Mystic. Bastet and Sophie continue their stand-off above. Bastet lashes out at Sophie and hits, but the elderly woman has clearly cast a protective spell. It absorbs the attack. Sophie then casts a spell to put Bastet to sleep, but it only makes the feline goddess fatigued. Sam and Evan continue their conversation. Sam tells Evan that Sophie is only using him, like she used her granddaughters. Evan begins to be swayed by her arguments, but he’s unsure. He has all this power and he wants to use it to change the world… <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">The battle continues in the courtyard. Anubis and Osiris both miss Glimmer. Primal finishes off a badly hurt Seth. Sobek takes a massive chunk out of Glimmer’s torso and drops her in one attack! Carom tried to redirect the attack but failed. Horus hits Mystic with his khopesh and stuns him. At the same time, Ra hits Mustang with his hammer and stuns the team leader. Carom realizes just deflecting won’t be enough. He creates a portal on top of Ra, disintegrating layers of the god’s skin. He’s badly hurt! Upstairs, Sophie continues the spell to put Bastet to sleep. Bastet is now exhausted, but still awake! She again attacks Sophie, injuring the old woman. Inside the temple, Phantasma says that power is only good if it’s used to help people. She knows Evan wants to help, but if he’s not careful his power could make things worse instead of better. <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">With Glimmer down, the gods descend on Mystic. Anubis wounds him with his spear. Osiris hits with his flail and stuns the mage. Horus follows up with his sword and badly hurts Mystic. Carom grabs Mystic and teleports them both away to the desert. Primal presses the attack on Ra and stuns the god. Mustang follows up by knocking his clone unconscious. Runak’s spirit returns to the hammer – and calls out to Mustang. Like an addict, Mustang can’t resist. He grabs the hammer, becoming Runak once more! Bastet and Sophie continue their fight. Bastet lands a well-placed kick, knocking out her grandmother. She stands over the woman’s body, unsure what to do. The door unlocks. Behind it, Sam urges Evan to rise above his “father,” Apocalypse. Don’t use power the way he did. Evan listens, nearly convinced, but still unsure. <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Primal is now the only conscious eXalt left. He eyes Runak warily, then attacks Anubis. Anubis is slightly hurt. The jackal-headed god fights back, but Primal dodges the spear. Osiris, Sobek and Horus see Mustang with the hammer and team up on him. With Runak’s power, Mustang’s force field repels them all. Carom reappears and grabs the unconscious Glimmer. He teleports back to Mystic. Mystic has healed himself in the interim. Will they return in time to save Primal? Bastet looks down at Sophie and realizes that if she isn’t stopped now, she’ll only try again. And next time she could truly destroy Evan – her lord. After a pause, she reaches down and snaps the woman’s neck, killing her. Sam tells Evan that it’s okay if he’s unsure what to do. He’s only a child. He should remain young and innocent while he can. He shouldn’t let others use him. He has his own free will. Evan hesitates… <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Anubis turns from Primal to help the onslaught against Runak / Mustang. Between the attacks of Anubis and Osiris, they are able to get through Runak’s force field and drop the Norse god. Primal hears the voice of the hammer, but strongly declines. Sobek sees the two Davids unconscious before him and his bloodlust takes over. He kneels over David’s clone and bites his head, killing him. Will the real David die next? Horus attacks Primal, but by this point Bastet has joined the battle. She teleports in front of Primal and takes the attack. She yells at Horus, “He’s mine!” In the middle of the desert, Mystic heals Glimmer. Carom teleports Glimmer back to the courtyard so she can rejoin the fight. Glimmer blasts Anubis, stunning him. Bastet sees the danger Mustang is in from Sobek. She teleports him to safety. Upstairs, Sam urges Evan that he can be so much more than a tyrant. Evan says he’s only good for this – he can’t do anything else. Sam says she already knows he’s a hero. She hugs the tearful boy. Evan says he’s ready to help. He moves to the balcony and sees the battle below. He unleashes blasts at the gods, knocking out Anubis and staggering Horus and Osiris. Phantasma finishes off Osiris. Primal takes the opening and finishes off Horus. Sobek attacks Primal in retaliation, but Bastet jumps in the way. Mystic teleports back to the battle. He’s harnessed the power of the Ruby Scarab to take a ruby form. With super strength, he strikes Sobek and drops him to his knees. Glimmer and Bastet finish the alligator god off. The battle is won! <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Sam uses her telekinesis to grab the drained Orb of Ra and Runak’s hammer. They leave David unconscious for now, fearing he won’t be able to resist the artifact. They agree to send the artifacts to Doctor Strange for safekeeping. The eXalts then hurry into the temple. They quickly knock out Khonsu and rescue their allies. Sam then uses telepathy to drive the possessing spirits from the cultists. Anubis, Horus, Khonshu, Osiris, Ptah, Ra, Sekhmet, Sobek, and Seth are no more. However, Isis escaped into the desert during the battle and Bastet’s spirit has merged with Bastienne. Mac opens a portal to Salton City. The heroes round up the humans brought to the plane. They are returned to Salton City. Sam called S.H.I.E.L.D. to alert them, and hundreds of agents are waiting to receive the formerly mind-controlled humans. Many will clearly need counseling or other help, but for now they are safe and back on Earth. The eXalts part ways with Hank, Tigra, Heather, and Julian. Georgie and Rafe accompany Heather back to Los Angeles. Glob Herman and Evan return with the eXalts to Utopia. When Mac reaches Academy X, he grabs an artifact he created and hid in the War Room. Fortunately, he didn’t need it, but he may have a use for it later… <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">The eXalts may have won the battle, but clearly their time in Aleph will have ramifications for them all. Carom’s mother is still out there somewhere in Aleph. Liam must deal with the fact that his girlfriend is an Egyptian goddess. David was once again seduced by Runak’s power, and Mac has now gained all of the Ruby Scarab’s powers. Sam must keep an eye on the growing power of Evan. And Bastienne has been the most changed of all. Can the eXalts grapple with these changes and move forward?
 * Next:** __Issue 81 - 'Vermin'__
 * Previous:** Issue 79 - 'Black Hole Sun'