Complete story — includes the ending
The X-Men return to Xavier’s school and discover Erik the Red lurking in their headquarters. They attack him with their full fury only to be struck from behind by Firelord, the former herald of Galactus. Despite the X-Men's best efforts to defend themselves, they are no match for one who wields the power cosmic; he easily knocks them all out.
Erik the Red has duped Firelord into helping him by having had Havok and Polaris pretend to attack him earlier (in an “offscreen” incident) in order to convince the former herald that the X-Men were evil. Erik claims to be a benign alien explorer who stumbled upon a plot by the X-Men to take over the world. Having successfully tricked Firelord, he urges him to seek out and destroy their leader, Charles Xavier.
At that same moment in outer space, a Shi'Ar imperial cruiser piloted by Captain K'rk is attempting to stop another starship from carrying the dethroned empress (and current rebel) Lilandra to Earth. Before K’rk can destroy the ship, Lilandra locates Charles Xavier and teleports to his location on the planet’s surface. The Professor is just then visiting Jean (the Phoenix) and Misty Knight at their shared apartment. Jean’s parents are visiting as well and Lilandra materializes before all of them.
The Professor uses telepathy to instantaneously teach Lilandra English. She exclaims the fate of the universe is in jeopardy, but before she can explain further Firelord bursts through the wall to confront them. Jean transforms her clothing into her Phoenix costume and is able to hold her own against Firelord in combat, surprising everyone witnessing it, even Firelord himself.
Erik the Red arrives and attempts to abduct Lilandra, but the X-Men have followed him and try to fend him off. Phoenix is able to blast Firelord away, hurling him as far as the New Jersey Meadowlands. The X-Men, however, fail to stop Erik the Red from taking Lilandra.
On the roof of the apartment building, Erik constructs a warp gate and uses it to depart Earth with Lilandra as his captive. The portal closes behind him, preventing the X-Men from following. Phoenix then uses her immense powers to activate the warp gate long enough for all the X-Men to travel through it, Phoenix jumping in last.
As the portal closes, Professor X, Misty, and Jean’s parents are left behind to wonder if they will make it back alive. Firelord returns and demands to know where the Phoenix has gone. Charles tells him that she is at the other end of the universe trying to save all of creation from destruction.
Erik the Red has duped Firelord into helping him by having had Havok and Polaris pretend to attack him earlier (in an “offscreen” incident) in order to convince the former herald that the X-Men were evil. Erik claims to be a benign alien explorer who stumbled upon a plot by the X-Men to take over the world. Having successfully tricked Firelord, he urges him to seek out and destroy their leader, Charles Xavier.
At that same moment in outer space, a Shi'Ar imperial cruiser piloted by Captain K'rk is attempting to stop another starship from carrying the dethroned empress (and current rebel) Lilandra to Earth. Before K’rk can destroy the ship, Lilandra locates Charles Xavier and teleports to his location on the planet’s surface. The Professor is just then visiting Jean (the Phoenix) and Misty Knight at their shared apartment. Jean’s parents are visiting as well and Lilandra materializes before all of them.
The Professor uses telepathy to instantaneously teach Lilandra English. She exclaims the fate of the universe is in jeopardy, but before she can explain further Firelord bursts through the wall to confront them. Jean transforms her clothing into her Phoenix costume and is able to hold her own against Firelord in combat, surprising everyone witnessing it, even Firelord himself.
Erik the Red arrives and attempts to abduct Lilandra, but the X-Men have followed him and try to fend him off. Phoenix is able to blast Firelord away, hurling him as far as the New Jersey Meadowlands. The X-Men, however, fail to stop Erik the Red from taking Lilandra.
On the roof of the apartment building, Erik constructs a warp gate and uses it to depart Earth with Lilandra as his captive. The portal closes behind him, preventing the X-Men from following. Phoenix then uses her immense powers to activate the warp gate long enough for all the X-Men to travel through it, Phoenix jumping in last.
As the portal closes, Professor X, Misty, and Jean’s parents are left behind to wonder if they will make it back alive. Firelord returns and demands to know where the Phoenix has gone. Charles tells him that she is at the other end of the universe trying to save all of creation from destruction.
Sources and content license
Source and revision history ↗ · Adapted from Marvel Database contributors, X-Men Vol 1 105. Illustrations and reference markup removed; synopsis paragraphs combined. · Content license