EPISODE 8:

We see a reconstruction of the "Wanda sighting" scene. It's computer generated, blue and grid-lined. We pan to Hank who's in the control centre of the Danger Room. Emma is up there with him. The rest of the X-Men are stood within the blue hologram.

Scott: "Wanda was at least thirty feet from Erik. She couldn't have gotten up and abducted him so fast, she doesn't have that kind of speed."

Emma from the booth: "Hold on Scott."

Hank: "It seems that I have been able to retrieve all the footage available from that day. If I correlate it and slow the scene down…" The blue hologram moves at glitch-speed.

Remy pipes up: "There! I knew it! It's Quicksilver. He de one dat nabbed Wanda and Erik of de street."

Logan: "That silver slimeball."

Remy: "His abilities are spectacular homme, you must admit? He's got so much control over his speed. In India I could see his silver streak, but Hank had to slow dis footage down a lot."

Hank: "Affirmative. But one wonders how angry Erik must be. To be sucker'd out of hiding somewhat."

Logan: "That ain't our problem."

Dust: "Perhaps it could be. If Magneto doesn't vent his anger at Quicksilver and Mystique, maybe he will project it elsewhere."

Logan: "What are you a psychiatrist lady?"

/

The screen splits and we're with the X-Men in the living room. It's mostly brown leather seating with the bookshelves full. Storm is live and present via video communications.

Remy: "The problem is that we don't know for sure that wasn't Wanda. What if it was and Quicksilver just got lucky?"

Scott: "Unlikely Gambit. We have to assume the status quo and go with our guts on this. The most obvious scenario is that Mystique was the one crying help as Wanda. Erik got baited out of his hole and now Pietro and Raven have exactly who they were looking for."

Hank: "So what do we do?"

Logan: "I say we hunt'm down before they do any damage."

Ororo: "That might be a good idea, to tackle them before they reach Egypt. I wouldn't have thought they know about the wedding yet, but they will. The press are beginning to get word of the wedding date."

Dust: "Even if they found out about the wedding, maybe they wait it out? What if they go to revive En Sabah Nur after all the festivities?"

Emma: "That is a possibility and it means that we have to force their hand."

Logan: "Get to'm first. Good. I'm in the mood for a fight."

Hank: "We must think like Magneto. If we assume he'll take point on Quicksilver's mission, he wouldn't foolheartedly go to Egypt."

Emma: "Right. He'd have a plan. Most plans include backup."

Remy: "But who?"

Ororo and Logan simultaneously: "Juggernaut."

Ororo: "Charles' brother and Erik's weapon of choice. They will go to his prison and try to break him out."

Hank: "We can assume Magneto would know which prison is holding him, but are we aware?"

Scott: "No we're not. I'll contact Valerie, she'll know. She would have all the information on imprisoned mutants before and after Decimation Day."

Emma's face changes at the mention of Valerie Cooper. Meanwhile, Remy's been flicking through the television channels.

"Looks like there's some who believe and some who don't. De more I think about it though, I think ya'll are right; Wanda's still missing."

Scott: "Fortunately the media are treating this as a mutant sighting and nothing more. Wanda was once an Avenger so that's why this has blown up a bit. Are they in the know about what's going on?"

Emma: "I spoke to Tony."

Ororo: "And I to Natasha. The key cogs know, but I'm not sure even they know who to trust after they signed the Sokovia Accords."

Emma: "As long as it's not public knowledge of what Wanda said. If the world knew there would be outrage."

Dust: "Or maybe they would treat her as a God. All powerful."

Emma: "That's coming from you of all people?"

Sooraya mutters an Arabic phrase under her breath, asking Allah for forgiveness for suggesting such a thing.

Scott: "Humanity is easily misguided, but I think more to the point is that mutants would get hunted and eliminated if the world knew what Wanda did. They would think that all it takes is for one of us to say no more humans and that would be that, the end of the human race as we know it. They would hunt us out of fear."

Ororo: "Fortunately only some of us know what really happened. We must keep it that way. And you all must find Erik, Pietro and who we think is Mystique."

Scott gets out his phone and we see 'Cooper, V' on his call screen.

Emma: "Prep the Blackbird Hank. Everybody have something to eat and go watch Juggernaut videos on YouTube. He's not an easy mutant to bring down."

Hank, Sooraya, Logan and Remy leave the kitchen.

Emma pulls Scott by the arm, quietly stating: "I don't trust her."

Scott: "It's alright. I'm getting information and nothing more. Hi, Valerie? I hope this isn't a bad time?" Scott walks off. Emma and Ororo lock eyes. Ororo can see that Emma isn't fond of Valerie Cooper.

/

Over in Wakanda, Shuri and Reed are in a warehouse type space. They're working on a vibranium powered box to possibly imprison En Sabah Nur. Bruce Banner talks to Reed via video communications. We also spot Tony Stark in Bruce's lab. They both put in their scientific views of whether or not the box would work and how. The conversation goes on and Bruce says that this kind of technology may enable Wakanda to have the monopoly on imprisonment.

Tony: "But have we not learned anything from the past? Doctor Richards, is there a way of adding a method of feeding the prisoner with regard to this box?"

Reed: "Probably not Tony."

Tony: "Exactly. So why not eliminate the problem while we have the chance."

Shuri: "What are you saying? We are not murderers."

Bruce: "She's right Tony, you're beginning to sound like Castle."

Tony: "You know I take that as a compliment. But I think I have too much of a conscious. I'm too nice, but Frank in this case would understand where I'm coming from. Instead of allowing Apocalypse of ever getting out of this box, why don't we devise a way of crushing him in it? Then poof, gone, the world is rid of an evil overlord."

Reed: "Mister Stark I think that would officially be going against those accords you signed."

Tony: "But would it? We'd be in Egypt. We could tell the world a natural disaster occurred which led to the crushing of En Sabah Nur. I think we'd be applauded."

Bruce: "With that line of thinking we may as well go down to Nur's tomb ourselves and kill him while he's sleeping."

Tony: "Even better idea."

Shuri: "No. There is no honour in that. A being cannot be slain no matter what the risk."

Tony: "But you can understand where I'm coming from? Bruce?"

Bruce: "I get it Tony, but we're not murderers. Nor are we vigilantes."

Tony: "Fuck. We're barely even Avengers any more."

Bruce: "Exactly."

Shuri: "Stick to the plan gentlemen. Ororo and my brother are to be wed. Everything else is a failsafe, a backup plan to the events of the day which is the wedding. This barbaric nonsense will not fly with the X-Men."

Tony: "Ah mutants, the core of this problem."

Bruce: "Tony?"

Tony: "I'm kidding. I have friends that are mutants. Hell, I'm invited to the wedding aren't I. I don't think T'Challa's a fan though."

Shuri: "I wonder why."

/

Over in Giza, Peter Parker and Mary Jane step out of a vehicle driven by Wakanda'n guards. They arrive outside the accommodation freshly built by Black Panther's people. Okoye meets them by the entrance.

"Welcome. We are honoured by your presence and attendance for the wedding of Ororo Monroe and the great Black Panther."

Peter and MJ look surprised. Okoye doesn't seem to be happy that so many people are coming to this wedding. She walks, guiding Peter and MJ into the building and to the reception area. MJ tries talking to Okoye, but Okoye comically doesn't respond with anything much other than a scowl. Okoye leads MJ to the reception desk and asks her to sign some paperwork on hers and Peter's behalf. Peter loiters meanwhile, eating sweets by the complimentary juice and then clumsily almost dropping a vase. The camera rushes behind him and he gets a tap on the shoulder.

"Boo!"

Peter turns around and finds Kitty Pryde. They embrace.

Kitty: "What's the matter Pete, Spidey-sense not so tingly?"

Peter: "Oh you know it's so hot out here. I'm not used to not having much to swing from and I guess I'm jet-lagged too."

Kitty looks at him with a quizzical expression.

Peter sighs: "Hi Kitty. It's good to see you."

Kitty: "You too Pete. You guys just got here? It's great isn't it?"

Pete: "It's very nice. Have you been here long?"

Kitty: "Oh, don't ask. Here, Wakanda, Kenya. It's been a crazy few weeks. But what a wedding this'll be, a spectacle don't you think?"

Pete: "Yeah I guess. I mean, Storm deserves it. It's important to be happy."

Mary Jane bellows: "Pete? I have our room key. Oh hi Kitty."

Kitty waves. Guards come over to take Peter's bags.

Pete: "Er, why don't you go ahead MJ. I'll catch up."

MJ: "Oh ok."

MJ is guided by Okoye as they exit the scene: "This way."

Kitty puts a hand on Peter's arm: "What's the matter?"

He shakes his head as they walk and talk, out toward the back end of the building where there's a bar and seating area.

Pete: "I don't know. I haven't been myself much lately."

Kitty: "Lately?"

Pete: "Well, since D-Day."

Kitty: "I figured. Why not though?"

Pete: "Oh I don't know. You know I was a hero then? I was considered a mutant. I was accepted for who I am not frowned upon for being a freak scientific accident."

Kitty: "But you were used to that weren't you? Why's it bother you now?"

Pete: "You know how kids say FOMO nowerdays? Fear of missing out?"

Kitty: "Yeah?"

Pete: "Well for me it's kinda like a sadness, based on missing out. And it makes me feel so guilty."

Kitty: "Guilty for what? Pete, what are you talking about?"

Pete tries to change the subject: "Er, you know, you, are you in the middle of all the hero stuff? Are you an X-Man?"

Kitty: "Well, not recently. Not since D-Day I guess. But I'm considering it."

Pete: "Really?"

Kitty: "Yeah. You know I've been in England and I did everything I was doing once upon a time at the mansion; I was teaching and I was content. So much changed after D-Day that getting away from Westchester County, I thought it was best for me. I guess it was, for the time I've been there."

Pete: "But something's changed now?"

Kitty: "In a way. I'm not sure. I'm excited you know. To see everyone and to know that there may be a battle around the corner. Teaching every day is a calling, but the rough and tumble keeps a person buzzing you know what I mean?"

Pete: "You were a teacher in that other place, right?"

Kitty: "In Wanda's alternate state of life, yeah. Not so different from where I was or where I am now."

Pete: "Were you alone?"

Kitty: "What do you mean?"

Pete: "In the reality that Wanda created, a supposed place where we all had everything we wanted; were you with the person you wanted to be with?"

Kitty: "I wasn't with anybody. Wait, were you? Is that what's bothering you? Wasn't Mary Jane there?"

Pete: "I don't know where she was."

Kitty: "But you were there with someone? You were married."

Pete: "To Gwen."

Kitty: "To Gwen?! Oh shit."

Peter nods as he looks like he still can't wrap his head around it: "That's why I'm so conflicted. I had everything I wanted. Things haven't been the same with Mary Jane ever since."

Kitty: "But Pete, come on, that's not her fault. Or yours."

Pete: "I know. And I'm sure I love Mary Jane. Gwen. Ergh, but Gwen, I can't get her out of my head, as if all these feelings came back to me and I can't get rid of them."

Kitty: "Do you want to get rid of them?"

Pete: "Yeah, I do. Of course I do. It's not fair on MJ. But I don't know I guess from what I had in that alternate reality, I kinda feel I would've had a better life with Gwen. A better love."

Kitty: "Pete, these thoughts are toxic."

Pete: "Not just thoughts. Feelings. I go to bed remembering what it was like waking up to Gwen in Wanda's world and I, I just remember being happier. Happier than I've been with MJ. I'd love to shake it off, but I don't know what to do about it."

The camera zooms away from their conversation as we see Okoye walk to the front of the building. The person that's walked in is Colossus. He sees Kitty talking to Peter Parker. A look of anxiety over Piotr's face.

/

Erik Lehnsherr is with Mystique and Quicksilver outside of an undisclosed prison establishment.

Mystique: "Are you sure we only need Juggernaut? There are other mutants in this place."

Erik: "We don't want distractions and we have those who I can trust so far. Juggernaut will do as I say. Once Apocalypse rights all the wrongs, then maybe we can give mutants their freedom. For now it would create media uproar to set them all free. By Juggernaut alone, the headline will be about me, not about mutants. You two know the plan?"

Pietro: "Got it dad. This should be easy enough. You're up, officer."

Mystique morphs into a security officer and makes her way down to the entrance of the establishment. The camera goes slow-motion to enable us to see Quicksilver speed to get a security pass off the guard by the gate. He sticks that to Mystique's hip and she picks it up to scan the pass and then show become a different guard. They clear her to go in and Quicksilver's silver streak follows in slow motion. Erik meanwhile makes his way to a Land Rover and he drives it around the outskirt walls of the prison. Way across the way, on the other side of the prison, we see the Blackbird land.

Split screen shows Mystique morphing into multiple different people to get to a computer to find out the exact holding spot of Juggernaut. Quicksilver follows, undetected in his silver streak.

Split screen takes us to the X-Men, who've departed the jet and made their way over the prison wall.

Cyclops: "Dust, get to the security office and tell them that there may be a breach. Wolverine, Beast on me. Gambit, do you have a lock on Juggernaut's cell?"

Gambit is in the Blackbird, using the infra-red heat-seeking technology. "Well, while En Sabah Nur is underground it look like dis place done the opposite. He on the top floor homme."

Cyclops, Beast and Wolverine get set to climb the outside of the prison.

Logan: "Top floor? Why the fuck?"

Beast: "Time Logan. For Juggernaut to get out of there, to land on the ground and then get running to forge an escape, it would give guards ample time to get into position to trap him. If he's underground he goes up and out. It's far more straightforward."

As their climb strengthens, Dust is on communications talking to them from the security office: "Guys they're here. Mystique and Quicksilver are outside Juggernaut's cell right now!"

Cyclops: "Damn. We must've been late by only minutes."

Logan: "How did they get past the damn guards so fast?"

No one's able to answer as there's then an explosion: a rocket launcher blows the top side of the building! Cyclops, Beast and Wolverine fall to the floor, reasonably unharmed.

Cyclops: "Gambit who the hell was that?"

Gambit: "Magneto. I got him."

Gambit exits the Blackbird and sprints around the outer wall of the prison.

Meanwhile, Mystique, Quicksilver and Juggernaut are stood at the edge of the opening at the top of the building. Mystique and Quicksilver are pretty much picked up by Juggernaut as he leaps out of the building and lands on his feet upon thunderously touching down. Juggernaut looks up and he sees the prison wall as the alarm becomes louder and louder. Police and security begin to gather, but they stop and watch as Juggernaut, Mystique and Quicksilver stand opposite Cyclops, Beast and Wolverine. A Western showdown. Wolverine unleashes his claws. Beast growls and Quicksilver speeds into a silver streak. The fight ensues!

Erik is putting the rocket launcher back into the Land Rover.

Gambit: "I won't even ask how you got yourself one of them."

Erik turns to see Gambit: "Cajun. Why do you need to talk before any fight?"

Gambit: "Fight? I doubt you're up for it homme. No powers and all. Besides, Erik, de name is Gambit!"

Erik: "Toad!"

Suddenly Toad leaps from out of the Land Rover. He scraps with Gambit and then it's a battle of powers. Toad's slimey tongue and superb agility versus Gambit's bow-staff and kinetic energy. Gambit looks as if he's winning the fight, but the Land Rover starts. Erik looks toward the driver quizzically and then climbs in, but we can't make out who's driving.

Erik: "Toad, come on."

Toad gets a couple of tongue lashes out on Gambit and then bounces away to latch on to the back end of the vehicle. "Bye bye, Cajun," he says cackling.

Gambit chases on foot, but to no avail.

Meanwhile, the battle in the prison yard is pretty even, but Cyclops states that Juggernaut is making too much of a mess: "If we're not careful, all the prisoners could be freed here. We have to back off."

As Beast and Logan comply we see a dark shadow go over Mystique and in an instant, she disappears. Another goes over Quicksilver and he disappears. We cut to the vehicle and Quicksilver pops up in the back of the Land Rover beside Mystique. Behind them are Erik and Toad. Juggernaut is left to face off against three X-Men and he is unafraid to mount a charge. He goes right at them, but runs into a black shadow and all of a sudden he's outside the prison walls and storming out in front of the Land Rover, who's breaks screech. Then we see that the person driving is Dagger and the man next to her in the passenger seat appearing out of a shadow is Cloak.

Mystique: "What the fuck's going on?"

Erik: "We'll talk to them. But wait, I must get Juggernaut on board."

Erik gets out of the back of the vehicle and goes to talk to Juggernaut, a conversation that we can't hear.

Quicksilver talks to Toad: "Did you know they were here?"

Toad shakes his head.

Mystique eyeballs them: "Cloak and Dagger helping Magneto. Well I'll be."

Cloak and Dagger sit there quietly as Juggernaut climbs the roof of the vehicle and caves some of it in with his weight. Dagger begins to drive.

Meanwhile, Cyclops, Beast and Wolverine are trying to convince the prison guards that they weren't the one's trying to free Juggernaut.

Cyclops tells Beast and Wolverine that they'll have to comply for now: "If we fight the guards the whole thing could become a media frenzy, making us look like we were here to set Juggernaut free. (Comms) Gambit you there?"

Dust: "It's Sooraya, I'm at the Blackbird. I think Gambit was in a fight."

Wolverine: "So were we."

Guards approach Cyclops, Beast and Wolverine.

Cyclops: "Sooraya call Emma. She has to get Cooper to call this establishment and force our release. We can't wait for our phone call in here. They'll keep us for hours and we've already lost out on Juggernaut."

Dust: "Copy Scott."

Wolverine: "Lost out? That's putting it nicely."

Hank: "I wonder who got them out of here? It seems like Magneto has a bigger team than we expected."

Guards put cuffs on the three mutants as we then see Gambit get back into the Blackbird.