x-men: messiah complex, pt. IV

The mutant baby is missing, and the X-Men know that both the Marauders and the Purifiers were at the site of its disappearance. Willing to recover the child at any cost, Cyclops dispatches a team of X-Men to track down the Marauders and their leader, Mr. Sinister.

Meanwhile, Cyclops also deployed the de-powered X-Man Rictor to gather intelligence on the mutant-hating Purifiers, who seek to kill the baby because they fear it is the Antichrist. A few months ago, the Purifiers killed many students at the Xavier Institute. Cyclops did not inform the remaining students of the Purifiers' involvement.

Lastly, Jamie Madrox, a.k.a. Multiple Man, went to see the mutant-inventor Forge. As part of Cyclops' plan, two expendable duplicates of Jamie were went into two different futures to gather intel with no possibility of return. Cyclops didn't plan for Jamie's teammate Layla Miller to tag along.

The one piece of the puzzle that Cyclops doesn't know about is that the mutant-eating monster Predator X is aware of the baby's existence. And it's hungry...
- Chapter Three, X-Men: Messiah CompleX

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The Canadian Rockies. 34 Kilometers from the nearest town, a native set up a bonfire using his mutant ability to breathe fire. Not long after, Predator X jumped in on the poor victim and feasted on him.

At the X-Mansion, Surge has found out that the Purifiers were involved in Alaska and she was furious at Cyclops for not telling them. Prodigy defended the X-Man saying that he might have a reason why it wasn't mentioned to them. He also advised Surge not to do anything stupid. Professor Xavier walks in on them agreeing with Prodigy. He offered to train the students, to take a different approach on the matter but Surge rejected him outright stating that he wasn't there when the students were getting killed, and that he can't teach them anything else because they already know how to die.

Meanwhile, Cyclops is asking Forge on updates on Multiple Man's mission. He commanded that the timeline be monitored no matter what happens. The mutant-inventor raised his concern for Madrox Prime who is still unconscious at the moment. Cyclops said that this was a risk they're taking as they are fighting for their existence.

After walking out on Professor Xavier, Surge assembled her team to tell them of her decision to go after the Purifiers. Hellion, Mercury and Rockslide agreed without any hesitation. Anole and Pixie joined in for the sole purpose of rescuing the baby. Dust, Prodigy and Elixir declined for personal reasons. And lastly, Armor shows up asking if there's still room for her.

Washington, D.C.. Rictor was being given a tour of the church and as they passed by an assembly hall, he overheard the spokesperson introducing the latest allies of the mutant-hating group. Curious, he took a peek and was shocked to see Lady Deathstrike and the Reavers joining the spokesperson on stage.

New York City. 80 years from the present. Madrox's duplicate and Layla Miller traverse the future to find out what's in store for the mutantkind. The two wondered why they haven't encountered any mutant so far, not even anyone talking about mutants. They headed to the library hoping to find more information. And as they looked upon the materials, they found out where all the mutants were kept - in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, New York City. They were put in a mutant relocation camp.

Washington, D.C.. The New X-Men made their way to the headquarters of the Purifiers and started to take down the soldiers guarding the outside perimeter.

Back at the mansion, Dust was worrying for her teammates and started to regret her decision to stay. Prodigy suggested that they inform Cyclops of Surge's plan. Elixir, reassured both of them that Surge has gotten them through so much already and that she won't let anything bad happen to their friends.

Antarctica. Mr. Sinister and the rest of the Marauders and Acolytes prepare to leave the base but Storm, with the rest of the X-Men strike force came in demanding for Rogue and the baby.

Anole used his ability to camouflage to gain access to the Purifiers' computer room. He got in but found out that the baby wasn't with the mutant-hating group. Rictor sneaked into the room and informed the kid that the New X-Men shouldn't have come as they will be in grave danger.

Inside the church, the battle between the soldiers and the New X-Men progresses. Hellion confronted the self-proclaimed successor to Stryker, Matthew Risman but he was ambushed by Lady Deathstrike, mortally wounding him before anyone else could react.

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This issue promises something great will happen on the next release.

I feel bad for Xavier. It was bad enough that Cyclops has put him on the sidelines but having Surge tell him off was worst. Well, he did deserve some of it.

And speaking of feeling bad, I pity the fire-breathing guy in Canada. His first-ever cameo in the X-verse only to be eaten by that dreaded Predator X. At least he got a full spread in the comicbook.

I love how Surge was in command of her team. It feels like Emma Frost was right in choosing her as the leader of the New X-Men. And Armor joining the team (I hope permanently) was good.

The battle between the Purifiers and the New X-Men was long overdue. And with that last panel (showing Lady Deathtrike's fingers jabbed through Hellion's chest) and the X-Men strike force confronting the Marauders/Acolytes, the next issue promises to be bloody (fantastic).