The X-men strive to fight for peace in a world that hates and fears them. They've faced challenge upon challenge, dealing with mutant extremists and giant, mutant-hunting humanoids. Just so recently, they've faced a fundamentalist cult known as the Purifiers, formed by Alyssa Risman and William Stryker.

As part of their final course of action, Stryker and Risman had Jean Grey, Professor Charles Xavier, Ororo Munroe, and Scott Summers kidnapped for days, torturing them repeatedly. This weakened Professor Xavier to such an extent that he came close to killing every last mutant on the planet.

Now, with the X-men back in the protection of X-Corporation, they must devise a plan to put a stop to William Stryker's religious zealotry and expose him for whom he is.

Issue 72: God Loves, Man Kills Part 6

X-Corporation Tower – Convalescence Room

For the next hour, all the X-men and the Avengers were in the medical bays of X-Corporation. With Magneto and Mystique nowhere to be found, all knew that they had to focus on moving forward.

Scott, Jean, Ororo and the professor were confined to the convalescence room of the medical ward, recovering however way they could. Ororo's breathing was still posing an issue, an oxygen mask on her face. Her panic attack triggered by her claustrophobia had taken a lot out of her, but Remy and Anna-Marie stayed at her side loyally.

Jean's wrists had been rubbed raw from her struggling against her bindings. She was currently being fed chicken soup by her older sister, who was sitting in the bed beside her. Cecilia had Jean's hand in hers, rubbing it soothingly. Her mental state however was concerning, almost as concerning as the professor's. Both had been tormented mentally for the past four days with images that haunted their memories. Sarah had been enraged when learning Stryker had forced Jean to relive the car accident that killed their parents.

Scott's physical condition proved to be worse. All the solar energy had been drained from him completely due to being kept out of the sun for the past few days. He was highly weak and very ill, a fever burning his whole body. He was being fed nutrients through an IV and was being put under a sunlamp to restore his strength.

Despite needing rest, Scott was not allowing himself to fall asleep. He was far too stubborn. Though everyone seeing his eyes for the first time was the biggest surprise for them all. Kitty and Bobby had made a huge fuss over it the flight home, which Scott found oddly sweet and endearing. Even Jean made a big deal out of it, unable to stop staring at his eyes. She had wanted to see his eyes from the day she met him, and now that she got that chance, she wanted to savor every moment of it.

With Professor Xavier now sound asleep, the X-men and the Avengers were sitting up, discussing how they were going to handle taking down the Purifiers.

"What do you suggest we do, Tony?" asked an exhausted Natasha, who was slouched in a chair icing her sore shoulder. Tony shrugged, not quite sure how to answer.

"Well, we cannot kill Stryker and Risman. That will only prove the public's fears of mutants to be true," Hank Pym said from where he sat beside Janet.

"Agreed, we cannot take Magneto's approach," Cecilia said with a shake of her head. "If we do that, what would that prove?"

"Well we cannot just allow Stryker and the Purifiers to get away with this. I cannot handle hearing about any more deaths of mutant children," Sarah Grey said with a shake of her head as she continued focusing on comforting her sister. Jean still had tear tracks on her face as she attempted to allow sleep to come.

"But obviously, us trying to argue with reason towards Stryker, it's not going to work!" said Pietro.

Everyone breathed out heavy sighs. They knew that if anything they couldn't fight back with violence. They also could not fight back with reason. If those two things did not work, what could work?

Suddenly, that was when Scott made the attempt to sit up in his bed, groaning heavily. His cigarette-burned arm was wrapped up in bandages, as well as his broken ribs. But even that did not seem to stop him from wanting to voice what he knew had to be said.

"Guys, if I may give a suggestion," he groaned out.

"Scott, you should be resting," Cecilia said sternly.

"No, Dr. Reyes. We're doing no good just sitting here questioning what the right thing to do is. Obviously, what we've been trying to do, fighting with reason, it's not working. That much I get. But how about we think about what Stryker is gaining right now? What is it that he ultimately wants to accomplish?" Scott asked in a serious voice.

"He wants all the mutants dead, obviously," Remy said bluntly.

"Yes. He claims that his goal is to "purify" the world of mutants. But from what I've heard him saying over the past few days, he and Risman are scheduling an interview with FOX News. It's going to be live from Central Park tomorrow. Here's my suggestion. I suggest we all go tomorrow, and we present our case on national TV. The Purifiers are not the ones who are dangerous, but the man himself. His beliefs, his ideas are dangerous. If we do not stand up to him, then we might as well enable another Holocaust to happen," Scott breathed out heavily as he felt Warren resting a hand on his shoulder.

"I'm with Scott on this one," Wanda said.

"Good enough fer me," Logan said with a nod.

"Me too," piped up Remy.

"Count me in," Kitty said. Bobby nodded in agreement with her.

"It's us or him; either way, it has to end," Jean said as she further leaned into her sister, who was stroking her hair softly.

"And if he tries to kill us?" Rogue asked in a serious voice.

"We cross that bridge if it comes to that," Jean said finally as she closed her eyes. "Also, I think President Kelly would like to know exactly who it is he's working with."

"I shall give him a call," Hank said as he walked out of the infirmary.

Bruce was currently checking Scott's vitals, making sure that he was healing properly.

"How long until I am fully charged, Dr. Banner?" Scott asked.

"Well, the sunlamp should help regenerate your powers and you should be able to feel your powers coming back a little under an hour," Banner said. "That should also allow you to heal, too."

"Good," Scott groaned, closing his eyes as he finally allowed sleep to come.

Central Park – The Next Day

"So, Mr. Stryker, as the advisor to President Edward Kelly, how do you respond to the rumors and allegations that you and Ms. Risman are founding members of the Purifiers?" asked Craig Ratner.

"Mr. Ratner, I must say this. I am not the problem. The mutants are the disease. They are the issue that we must deal with as a society. Who has to clean up their mess when the muties cause problems for us?" William Stryker asked in disgust.

"But, Ms. Risman, if it is true that you are involved with the Purifiers, this would prove to be bad for you. You were already involved with the Friends of Humanity, a hate group. Just because you were not arrested under Norman Osborn's administration does not mean you will be able to avoid being arrested now," Ratner said sternly.

"Call it a hate group. I call it a solution to the problem. A solution that President Kelly does not seem to wish to be behind," Risman replied.

"I understand that the mutant issue is still a problem on the rise. But the Purifiers are rumored to be responsible for the killings of ten mutant children in the past month. How do you respond to that?"

"How do I respond to that, Mr. Ratner? I say that the mutants are the problem. Not us. Regardless of the way some may act towards mutants, we will not be held responsible for others' behavior. We cannot control other human beings, unless of course if you're a telepathic mutie," Stryker said.

"I'd like to challenge that," said the voice of Scott Summers. With him included Jean Grey, Logan Howlett, Kitty Pryde, Bobby Drake, Hank McCoy, Warren Worthington III, Cecilia Reyes, Wanda and Pietro Maximoff, and Hank's girlfriend, Carly.

Stryker turned to look in their direction. "What are you doing here? I thought you were all supposed to be –?"

"Dead?" Jean asked bluntly. "You'll find we're full of surprises, Mr. Stryker."

They could hear the reaction of the crowd watching the debate. Some were saying they were crazy. Others were saying it was bravery. The fact that none of the X-men were dressed in uniform was also something that everyone was taking notice to. They were letting down their defenses completely.

"You've been making some pretty extreme charges against us lately, sir," Warren said. "And we'll be happy to claim equal time here and now to answer to them."

"Then I have got nothing to fear, for the Lord is with me," Stryker said.

"I don't know what kind of God you worship, but we know that you are the one responsible for the killings of ten, innocent mutant children. What kind of salvation is that?" Jean asked in disgust. "You're a very lucky man, because thanks to those who think like you do, mutants live in fear every day."

"Would you do that to someone else because of the color of their skin? Because of their religious beliefs?" added Hank, his arm wrapped around Carly securely.

"I do nothing, Beast. I am just simply an instrument of the Lord. Like I said, I cannot be held responsible for the actions of others," Stryker said.

"Yes, that is true. You cannot control other human beings. But the members of the Purifiers are under your leadership, Mr. Stryker," Pietro said. "If there is one thing people in society right now are good at is saying someone else made them do it."

"And you claim you are an instrument of the Lord?" asked Wanda. "How? What makes you so special? What makes you think you were chosen by God to do these heinous acts?"

"What makes your link with heaven any stronger than mine?" added Jean. "Just because I am a mutant, does not mean I cannot feel. And I've had plenty to feel over the course of four days when you held my friends and me hostage, and you tortured us!" Jean's voice sounded as though she were choking. Tears stung in her eyes as she shook her head.

"We have unique gifts," Cecilia said, sensing how Jean was growing more upset. "Our gifts that we have make us no different than someone who is a talented physician, or poet, or police officer. It could be of an accident, or a divine providence. Who is to say? It's simply an accident at birth that gave us extra genes. But that does not mean we are a mistake. The way we were born is not a sin. The X-gene just simply makes us special humans."

"And you would say that that is human?" Risman asked angrily, pointing at Beast who had Carly's arms around him loyally. "How dare you call that thing human?"

"He's more human than you!" shouted Kitty in anger, stepping forward fiercely. "Beast is generous, and gentle, and kind! He has every right to be bitter and angry at the world because his mutation deformed him! He could have given into hate and rage, and became the "monster" that you claim him to be. But he decided the opposite. I hope to be half the person he is. And if I must choose between caring for my friend, and believing in your "God," then I choose my friend!"

"I'm with her!" Bobby said, the same level of anger in his voice. "You do not know half of who Beast is, or who Scott and Jean are! You've got no right to stand there, holier than thou, claiming you are somehow a prophet of God. When I met Scott and Jean two years ago this fall, I was scared out of my mind because of my mutation. I owe them, and Beast, and Professor Charles Xavier a debt. They took me in despite me being an ice-controlling, closeted freak! If anything, they're much more human than you ever will be."

"And how are we any different than those like Ms. Marvel, or Captain America?" Kitty further pressed. "They happened to have been enhanced individuals, but they used their powers to help save everyone! We're just doing what they have done."

William Stryker and Alyssa Risman seemed to grow increasingly agitated as Kitty and Bobby continuously defended their friends.

'How dare they call themselves human?' thought Stryker as he stood there, reaching for his pistol that he had on him. 'They are the reason for corruption in our gene pool! We as humans should be cleaning them out. Here they are, standing there, telling me they're just gifted!'

"Let those blasphemous words, you two, be your last," Stryker said softly. "May God have mercy on your souls."

Risman and Stryker aimed their pistols at both Bobby and Kitty. The fact that they were more than willing to brutally murder two, innocent teenagers on national TV disturbed the older X-men and the two Avengers members greatly. But all the mutants understood that at this point, they had to surrender. They had to show that they were not there to fight, but rather be there in peace. If it meant dying, they'd be willing to do that.

Kitty and Bobby both closed their eyes, waiting for the two bullets to hit them in the head. Kitty wasn't even preparing herself to phase. Bobby wasn't putting his organic ice shell up around his body to defend himself.

'I guess this is it,' Kitty thought, swallowing as her stomach flipped with nerves. She knew Jean could hear it.

However, that was when the most miraculous thing seemed to happen.

They could all hear two gunshots in the air. But Bobby and Kitty didn't feel that they were dying. In fact, as they opened their eyes, they could see that Risman and Stryker hadn't even had the chance to shoot at them. A cop nearby had aimed two perfect shots at both Stryker and Risman, both Purifiers down on the ground bleeding from bullet wounds in their arms. Bobby and Kitty both shared wide-eyed looks with one another. The fact that a police officer had saved their lives and did the right thing, it shocked them both.

The police officer all looked toward the X-men and the two members of the Avengers. He gave them a stern look, a look that said, "Go, leave. Get out of here, and go home."

The X-men and Wanda and Pietro all nodded, getting the message that they were to go back home.

X-Corporation Tower – Professor Xavier's Office

"Today, we witnessed a crime committed that just comes to show we must remain vigilant. My former advisor, William Stryker, came together with Alyssa Risman to form an extremist, religious group. Both are guilty for the crimes of murdering of ten mutant children, kidnapping, and torture. I say former, because William Stryker is now in police custody and has been fired from my staff. I understand that many of you out there are in fear of mutants. But today, we also witnessed the X-men stand up, reminding us that mutants are no different than humans.

"Mutants are truly no different than those who are gifted doctors, teachers, policemen, or athletes. They are just simply enhanced individuals. What they choose to do with that power is by their own free will. It is the same with humans having free will. William Stryker had free will when he decided to commit these callous acts of terrorism against mutants. When I won the presidency, I promised to protect the freedom of all in America. Therefore, I apologize for these heinous acts that were committed under my nose. I promise that I will make sure that this is fixed. As of today, I am hiring a new presidential advisor, General Nathan Grimshaw, to ensure that extremist acts such as this do not happen again. We must take the precaution of making sure that these hateful acts never happen again. Thank you all; God bless America."

'Wow, these changes happened rather fast,' thought Jean Grey from where she sat in Professor Xavier's office with Tony, Wanda, Pietro and the rest of the X-men.

"I'd say, chere," Remy said, as if having read Jean's mind.

"Well, we won," Scott said softly, hugging Jean against his side firmly. "Let's hope and pray to God that this doesn't happen again."

"I fear, my son, that we can never truly win," Professor Xavier said softly.

Everyone turned to look towards the professor, the man who was the father many of them did not have. To hear him sound so cynical shocked every single one of them.

"I've never heard you sound like that before, Chuck," Logan said quietly.

"What are you telling us? That we should have taken our father's side? That we should have just given up?" Wanda asked in a serious tone.

"Why not?" Xavier asked quietly, a hand residing on his forehead. "I have spent my whole life smashing my head against a wall that does not want to be broken. Perhaps it's time I – we – found a better way. Stryker made me a killer. I may not have killed anyone, but I nearly did. The intent was there! There are just people out there who cannot change. If anything, William Stryker has shown me that you cannot change people. You cannot reason with men like that. One day, it might come to us needing to kill."

All the X-Men shuddered at Charles' words. They didn't want to believe that the professor had lost hope in his dream. This was the same man who'd guided them and took a risk to give them all a future. So to hear that doubt in his voice didn't sit well with any of them.

However, Scott rose to his feet. He wasn't one to give up easily, given the circumstances from which he came. Clearing his throat, he knew that he had to convince the professor that his dream was still worth pursuing, despite what Stryker had done.

"I refuse to accept that, Professor," Scott said with a shake of his head as he shared a pointed look with Ororo, Kitty and Bobby. "Granted, times are tough for us and they'll probably get a lot worse. Granted, we probably could conquer the world, but the cost in blood would be staggering. Keep in mind, Professor, it wasn't just Stryker manipulating you into killing mutants. Magneto attempted at forcing you to kill all the humans. But don't you see that we are human too? A different branch, perhaps, but the same basic tree. Such a fundamental shift in attitude cannot be imposed. To have any meaning, it must grow from within."

Everyone glanced at Scott as he gave his speech. Hearing his assertive tone and the confidence there, they suddenly all felt a fire ignite within them once more. The passion that they all had for saving a world that hated and feared them rebirthed as Scott continued his speech, casting them his "leader" look. The way Scott stood so tall as he delivered his sentiment, it left the others nodding along in agreement with him. They trusted Scott's word above all, and if he still believed that peace was achievable, then they had no reason to doubt that.

"You brought us together to fulfill a dream, Professor. Tony, you're part of that dream, too. You both brought all us together by putting us in uniform to fight for peace. Tony, you secured our futures from the very beginning. Professor, you're the father that most of us haven't had in years. Your dream, Professor, was born out of hope and the noblest of human aspirations. We've sweated. We've bled. Candy Southern died believing in making that dream into a reality. I'm not prepared to give up any time soon. That means, we are important as the end. We must do it right, or not at all. Anything less negates every belief that we have ever had; every sacrifice we've ever made," Scott continued, glancing around at everyone.

Jean glanced over at Kurt, Rogue, and Remy in silence, knowing she could not argue with her boyfriend's word. During her days of torture, she'd been left feeling so much doubt in Xavier's dream for peace. But listening to Scott's word, her confidence in a peaceful future for mutants resurfaced. Glancing at the others, she could tell that they were all thinking the same thing.

"You cannot just look at William Stryker as the sole example of all humans. That cop, he stopped Stryker and Risman from murdering Bobby and Kitty right in front of us. There is always going to be that one person like that cop, like Jean's older sister, who is willing to do the right thing. You become a William Stryker, or a Magneto, when you decide to allow your fear to dictate every decision that you make in life. We cannot afford to compromise. We cannot afford to allow that to happen here," Scott concluded.

Everyone sat there, taking in what Scott had to say. In many ways, they all knew that he was correct.

'I cannot argue with Scott there,' Warren thought. 'If I even consider giving into despair, then Candy's death, her sacrifice of allying herself with us would be for nothing.'

"Scott's right," Cecilia said. "I would not have joined the X-men if I did not believe that we could help change the minds of people. Yes, there are many out there who probably would never change. But there's also always going to be that one person who is willing to right the wrongs those committed. Isn't that why the X-men were formed? Isn't that why the Avengers were formed? So that we could one day end the war and live in peace and harmony?"

"Ah'm with you on that, Slim," said Rogue.

"Same here," Logan said in agreement.

Once again, everyone was silent. They knew that Scott and Cecilia both had a point. Finally, Xavier made his ultimate decision.

"Alright, Scott," he said finally. "If you are willing to continue giving my dream a chance, then I am willing to do that too."

"Good, at least we've come to that agreement," Tony said.

Up next: Things That Go Bump in the Night