issue summaries

Adventures of Cyclops & Phoenix 2 Tenure Writer: Scott Lobdell Penciler: Gene Ha Inkers: Al Vey and Terry Austin Colorist: Kevin Somers Letterer: Richard Starkings / Comicraft Editor: Bob Harras Editor-in-Chief: Tom DeFalco Date: June 1994

Five years after the events of the previous issue, Jean and Scott have taken on the identities of Slym and Redd Dayspring, who have taken in an orphan, Nathan (who doesn't know that they are really his parents). They have been traveling for weeks by foot to the citadel of Crestcoast.

For the past five years, the Daysprings have been hiding amongst the lowest sapien caste (humans), fleeing from town to town in an effort to protect Nathan and keep Apocalypse from finding him.

Nate asks Redd if they are there yet. Slym tell him that they are finally home. Nate complains that this is their third home this "chronsect". Red explains in English that this has been their goal all along and they should be able to settle down here for a while.

Nate asks them if they ever thought of dumping him like his real parents did, since his disease makes it hard for them to fit in. Redd jokes that they might trade him for a blender.

Scott thinks back to how all of this happened, amazes at how they have become a family. He recalls how he had to allow a member of the Clan Askani to take Nathan to the future to cure his techno-organic virus, a decision that wouldn't have been any easier had he known then that his own daughter, Rachel Summers, was the one that had founded the Askani and sought to save Nathan.

But when Apocalypse stuck against the Askani, a desperate Rachel pulled her parents into the future so that her dream wouldn't perish with her.

Rachel transplanted her parents into different bodies and replicated their powers. Scott is able to control his optic blasts. However, he has another disability after shattering his knee shortly after rescuing Nathan.

Another traveler mentions to Slym that he heard them speaking "Old Englische". Scott tells Jean that they need to be more careful, since they are trying to hide and blend in.

Three hundred miles south in the House of Apocalypse, the ruling class mutants live a lavish lifestyle. Ch'vayre enters the party, and is congratulated on his defeat of the Askani. Ch'vayre thinks to himself about how a man and woman escape the Askani stronghold and have continued on the Askani teachings.

Suddenly, there is an explosion. Some fear they are under attack, but it’s only a boy - Stryfe - throwing a tantrum. He is the clone of Nathan, who had been kidnapped by Apocalypse and is being raised as a spoiled prince. The explosion was Stryfe incinerating his teacher with his mutant powers.

Ch'vayre yells at Stryfe for using his powers against people only because he doesn't like them. Apocalypse interrupts, telling Stryfe that Ch'vayre doesn't have the power or the perspective. He hugs Stryfe and tells him to run along so he can speak to Ch'vayre in private.

They discuss Stryfe, who both Apocalypse and Ch'vayre believe is really Nathan Christopher. Apocalypse has been dangerously accelerating the development of Stryfe’s mutant powers.

As the Daysprings approach the city gates, Jean uses her power to make Nate’s metal arm look normal. As long as they are touching, she can control his appearance. He asks if he will be able to do that himself one day, so he can pass as normal. Slym replies that he can aim his sights higher than just normal.

They attempt to enter the city, but a mutant thug crushes their credentials. When Slym questions then, he’s slammed to the ground.

The traveler that hear them speaking English rats them out and says the Daysprings must be hiding something. Scott tries to come up with an excuse, but the mutant thugs threaten to take them to Ch'vayre.

Nate goes after the thugs, biting one of them in the leg and is thrown. Scott catches him, calling him son in English, something Nate doesn't understand.

Having lost contact with Jean, Nate’s arm returns to metal and the thugs think that he is some sort of illegal half-breed and want to turn him in.

A strange mutant named Turrin arrives, who is a friend to the Askani and someone the thugs are scared of. He’s able to get the Daysprings into the city without any questions asked.

Turrin takes them to into the city slums. He explains that Crestcoast used to be a major city, but now it is a tomb where the walking dead go to die. He says they are at war for the future of the entire planet. Difficult choices have to be made since it is a dark world they live in and it will remain one until someone arrives to lead them to a better place.