The X-men were brought together by Tony Stark and Charles Xavier in order to secure their futures, but over the course of the past few months, they've begun the mission of saving a world that hates and fears them.

After having recruited their newest members Ororo Munroe and Cecilia Reyes, the X-men encountered a group an underground group of mutants called the Morlocks, who had kidnapped Warren as a form of misguided revenge against him for leaving.

Now, nearly a week later, the X-men are finding that they are going back to work, with Scott, Jean, Bobby and Ororo beginning to take into consideration what is to come for their future as potential employees of X-Corporation. Additionally to this, Raven "Mystique" Darkholm is planning to put a plan into action with the help of her adoptive daughter, Anna-Marie "Rogue" D'Ancanto.

Issue 31: The Unstoppable Juggernaut

Sheffield, Vermont

"Proudstar, turn that crap off, will ya? There's only so much of the Nick Jonas I can take on this God forsaken trip!"

"Change your attitude, Logan. We're just on the road to New York. Carol's in Pennsylvania transporting the Brotherhood to Rikers. This is the last prisoner we've gotta transfer over there into solitary confinement. A couple more hours, and you and Carol can go back home and have all the fun you two want," thirty-two-year-old John Proudstar assured Logan.

"No, actually, John, I sympathize with Logan greatly. I've never understood your fetish for early 2000's pop music and boy bands," twenty-seven-year-old James Proudstar told his older brother. "Besides, why the three of us is the question?"

"Because the others are babysitting the prisoners back at Alpha Flight; this guy here would kill them all if they transferred him out," John explained. He breathed out a sigh. Needing to transfer mutant prisoners to Rikers was a challenge, considering that the prisoners ranged in class levels and they were all equally dangerous. But, this prisoner was ten times more hazardous than any omega-level mutant that they had to transfer, considering he wasn't a mutant at all. However, it was a relief to John, James and Logan that Alpha Flight was in partnership with X-Corporation and Stark Industries, because that meant having access to high-end technology and weapons that most members of the US military would kill for.

"Believe me, I've read the guy's file. He's pretty screwed up considering his history, and the fact that he's so powerful. I don't know what's more fucked up. The fact that this shithead is not a mutant, or the fact that his powers stem from magic of all things in the world," Logan growled. "I'd almost take huntin' down Victor Creed. That son of a bitch finds new ways to piss me off every damn day!"

"I know, Logan, but put all pettiness aside for Sabretooth. This Cain Marko fellow is more important to get out of here," John said as he continued to drive the truck along the roads of Vermont.

"This is hardly fair! Carol gets the lightweight work!" James groaned as he rubbed his temples. "Now, turn that shit off, will you? If I hear anymore of Nick Jonas' "Jealous", I'm going to jump out a window!"

"James, for the love of God, quit bitching," said John as he drove towards New York. "Besides, we can't afford to lose this guy. We lost Black Tom Cassidy about a year ago; God only knows where that guy is. But, I'm telling you, his brother, Sean Cassidy, most definitely has a bone to pick with him."

"Of course . . . it is bad enough Black Tom and Marko became such good buddies. I'm still shocked we haven't gotten Sabretooth into our custody yet," James pointed out to his brother.

"Believe me, I want to get Victor Creed too, but there's no way we can possibly track him. He's unpredictable."

"Yeah, but, John, I swear to God the next time I get a whiff of him, I'll let you know." Logan bared his claws to show that he was more than willing to stab Victor Creed a thousand times over. "And it shouldn't be too hard. He stinks!"

"And believe me, Logan; if he was close by, I would be able to sense it. I can track mutants who are around the general area rather recently," John reminded his brother and his partner.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah, Proudstar," Logan said around a growl. "But, patience was never my strong suit, pal."

"Yeah, but, Carol helped you develop some patience. And I am pretty sure training those kids at X-Corporation has rubbed off on you too, because you seem softer than usual," James quipped.

"Oh please, Warpath!" Logan rolled his eyes. "Just because I'm fond of Slim Summers and Jeannie Grey doesn't mean I am soft on those two! Do you think I will compromise my values?"

"Of course not." John shook his head. Working with his brother and his partner was something that took quite a bit out of John. Logan and Carol were two of his closest friends in Alpha Flight. However, having Carol Danvers and Logan Howlett as your two closest friends meant needing to deal with the two of them having quite a bit of attitude. They were both hard-as-nails and clashed constantly, but, they also had a connection between the two of them that made them fall in love with one another.

As John continued to drive down the highway of Vermont with James and Logan guarding the cargo that was holding their prisoner, Cain Marko, he drummed his fingers against the steering wheel, humming to "Cake by the Ocean." He turned the volume up slightly. If Logan and his brother wanted to complain in the back of the van about his musical taste, they could go and suck it. The drive for the most part was smooth, until suddenly, they hit a pothole. But, it wasn't just one pothole. It was one after another.

"John?" James asked his brother, standing up to go and lean over the driver's seat.

"I don't know," John informed him.

Suddenly, that was when they heard the sound of the metal chains on Cain Marko's cargo which was transporting him could be heard being wrestled off by some sort of powerful source.

"Magneto!" growled Logan, pulling his Wolverine cowl up over his face, his jaw clenched.

"Easy Logan . . . we don't need you and James running into the fray," John said sternly. Being James' older brother, John was often seen as the more mature one and was more disciplined. He drove over another pothole, which caused the van to jerk hard. That in combination with the magnetic interference wasn't helping their case. Clearly, this was all set up in advance by Magneto himself. John couldn't help but groan in frustration. He could almost sense that Logan and James wanted to run in like bats out of hell. They were both hot-headed and stubborn equally.

Finally, when they hit the last pothole in the road; that was the moment they felt the van flip over in the middle of the road. The glass from the windows broke over their prone bodies as the car flipped.

"Oh crap!" Logan groaned. "Ya guys alright?"

"Super!" James gave Logan the thumbs up weakly. However, the chains on Marko's containment broke, and the large, towering, muscular man who could give Bruce Banner – The Incredible Hulk – a run for his money, kicked his way out and ripped open his exit.

"FUCK!" Logan shouted. "GODDAMMIT CAIN!"

"MY NAME IS NOT CAIN!" Marko yelled, grabbing the Wolverine by his head and tossing him out of the vehicle like he weighed nothing. "I'M THE JUGGERNAUT, BITCH!" He stomped his way out of the van, going along his way to terrorize whatever town in the state of Vermont that he desired.

"Dammit . . . we better call for backup!" John groaned. "Logan, call the X-men!"

"Those kids aren't ready for this yet!" Logan said as he pushed himself off the pavement, pulling glass out of his skin.

"Well, make them ready!" James said. "Because there is no way I am taking this guy on my own!"

X-Corporation Tower – Tony Stark's Office

"Alright, so, Warren, Hank, Cecilia . . . I see that the three of you are settled into your new positions already," Tony said.

"Yes," Warren said. "Thankfully, my employees over at Stark Pharmaceuticals give me the respect as their new CEO. And I can also tell you that Bruce Banner hasn't had any temper tantrums in the workplace."

"Good to know," Tony said. He turned to Scott, Jean, Bobby and Ororo, as well as Forge. "Alright, so, Scott, as far as you go, I already know when you graduate from college that I would want to place you in charge of the weapons manufacturing department of Stark Industries . . . you already told me that you're considering a career in engineering. I might as well put you in the position where you can manufacture weapons for the military. And Jean, I know for a fact after you graduate from med school that I am going to put you in a position to do research for Stark Pharmaceuticals; both you and Cecilia."

Jean and Scott both nodded. The fact that they were already being involved in the business meetings Tony had with the professor, Hank and Warren was something that surprised them. However, they also knew that since Tony was the one who had their futures secured.

"Alright, Ororo, Bobby, the two of you take your time, as far as figuring what kind of position the two of you would want to be in," Tony said. "Forge, you're content with being our engineer here?"

"Yes," Forge said.

"Okay, so, Hank, Warren, how are we doing over at Stark Pharmaceuticals?" asked Tony.

"The mutant-friendly allergy medicine is complete," Hank said. "We're just waiting for someone who would be willing to test it."

"Can you test it on me when I'm around cats?" Forge asked, still traumatized from his experience dealing with Thornn when they'd fought the Morlocks a week prior.

"Forge, can you stop reminding us?" Warren asked with a groan, leaning his head back. "I swear to God . . . I'm still recovering here! Do you know how many Danger Room sessions I'd missed out on?! Last I checked I still have cracked ribs that are healing!" He gestured to his ribs which were wrapped in gauze.

"Warren, we all know. Besides, Tony, when's this gonna end? It's lunch time, I'm hungry! It's Saturday!" Bobby said. Jean elbowed him hard in the ribs to shut him up.

"Can you take something seriously for two minutes, Bobby?" she asked him, exasperated.

"For the love of all things holy, Bobby, quit complaining!" Scott said. "Okay? We may not have a Danger Room session today, but, that's because Logan and Ms. Danvers are not having fun! They're transferring the Brotherhood to Rikers Island right now! So therefore, quit it!"

"Good point." Bobby nodded. However, Jean could pick up on his thoughts of, 'I really shouldn't be complaining . . . Logan and Carol are probably having the crappiest Saturday ever right now. But, what I can say is that I am not looking forward to my fifteenth birthday which is coming up. Needing to spend it with my parents and grandparents and brother . . . after having spent Hanukkah and Christmas with them and those holidays being a complete disaster. Why should I be punished just because I'm a mutant? What did I do that was so bad?'

Jean felt a pang hit her chest. She knew that Bobby's family situation wasn't getting any better. It was almost as though he had to defend himself from his own family, and her heart broke for him. She understood that Bobby hid his troubles behind being a jokester. The fact that he wasn't looking forward to spending his fifteenth birthday with his family was something that Jean found to be the saddest thing.

"Alright everyone, you're free. Warren, Hank, the both of you, get back to work," Professor Xavier told them. That was when Pepper walked into the room.

"Tony, you've got a call on the emergency line," she informed them. "It's Alpha Flight."

Tony nodded and went around his desk to take the call. When he picked up, the holographic image of Logan Howlett and John and James Proudstar appeared. All three looked as though they had been through two hundred rounds in a boxing ring and then hit by a truck. Logan had deep bruises that were in the process of fading, while John and James were picking pieces of glass out of their skin.

"Logan!" Jean gasped, her hand coming over her mouth in shock. Everyone else looked as surprised as she did that the Wolverine, their friend and teacher, was that severely injured. "What happened to you?"

"Hey Jeannie . . . don't worry, it's nothing that a couple hours of rest and a cold beer couldn't fix for me, darlin'," Logan told her to reassure her. "Cool yer jets, kiddo. But Chuck, Alpha Flight's gonna need the X-men's help on this."

"What is it?" Charles asked wearily.

"It's the Juggernaut, sir. He's loose," John Proudstar said grimly.

Woodstock, Vermont

"OUTTA MY WAY, YOU PUNY RUNTS!" shouted the booming voice of the towering Juggernaut as he made his way through the town of Woodstock. His overly large feet pounded down on the streets, leaving large dents as he passed through. He picked up two cars that were containing civilians, tossing them straight into a building.

"Holy crap! Who is that?" someone shouted.

"Forget about whom! Let's talk about what?" someone else said in a panicked voice.

"DO YOU WANNA KNOW WHO I AM? I'M THE JUGGERNAUT, YOU WEAKLINGS!" Cain Marko roared with laughter as police officers attempted to stop him by firing bullets. "HAHA THAT TICKLES!" Marko reached forward and grabbed two of the cops who were attempting to stop him using guns. He lifted them with one hand and threw them across the concrete as though they were nothing more than a football to him. He kicked the police cars out of his way as he continued to stomp on forward in glee. He noticed the news crew that was there, recording his victorious escape from Alpha Flight for all to see.

"YOU SEE, CHARLIE? YOU SEE?! I AM UNSTOPPABLE!" Cain cried joyously. He punched his fists into several buildings, bricks tumbling down and civilians falling with the houses, injured. He lifted up several traffic lights, using them as baseball bats to slam into several more police cars. Finally, after five years of being trapped in captivity with Alpha Flight, Cain Marko was finally free.

Skies over Vermont – The Blackbird

Up in the Blackbird, the X-men, including Cecilia Reyes and Forge as well as Professor Charles Xavier, James Rhodes, Pepper Potts, Harold "Happy" Hogan, and Tony Stark, soared over the skies of the state of Vermont. For Tony and the professor, they knew that when Alpha Flight had called for help with the Juggernaut, that the X-men were going to be in for the ultimate challenge of their lifetime. Even Warren knew from the stories that the professor had told him, Beast and Forge. Scott was piloting the jet for the first time, due to the fact that he was working towards getting a license to pilot planes. Rhodey was observing him, making sure that Scott knew what it was that he was doing.

"So, Professor, Logan was pretty cryptic with his message over the emergency line. What exactly are we dealing with? Who is the Juggernaut?" asked Ororo.

"Ororo, kid, I wish I could say that the Juggernaut is a fancy strip club here in the state of Vermont, but that would be wishful thinking," Tony said, sounding regretful. Pepper elbowed him in the ribs hard. "Ow!"

"Would you stop it with the jokes?" Pepper cried out, her eyes wide. "Are you out of your freaking mind?!"

"Pepper is right, Tony," Xavier said, a slight glare on his face. "Just to debrief you all, the Juggernaut is more powerful than any mutant I have come across, including my own son, David. He is highly strong, muscular, and can give the Incredible Hulk a run for his money. And I would know personally, because the Juggernaut, Cain Marko, is my older step-brother."

"Wait, Cain? Like in the Bible, Cain who killed his brother Abel out of resentment?" asked Bobby. Everyone gave him an odd look. "Haven't you guys been to Sunday School?"

"I have," said Jean, having been raised Catholic. "It's just been a while, that's all."

"But, how exactly did he get that kind of power?" asked Scott.

"God only knows," Rhodey whispered. "But I can tell you, as a military pilot, I have seen a lot of weird stuff in my lifetime. Cain is by far the most bizarre."

"Indeed. Nonetheless, all I can tell you is Curt Marko, Cain's father, was actually my father's cousin and ex-business partner. However, I did not realize until years later that Curt had blackmailed my mother into divorcing my father so that he could have my mother's money. This was because my mother was the heiress to a highly successful pharmaceutical company. However, Curt was an alcoholic and as a result, he'd beat my mother, and he was additionally highly abusive towards Cain and I. However, on Cain, Curt was the hardest on when it came to the abuse that we both received.

"Eventually, when I was fourteen and Cain was seventeen, Curt threw Cain out of the house and shipped him off to a military academy in Europe. For me, at that age, the abuse from Curt became too much, and I'd ended up running away from home. Luckily, my biological father allowed me to live with him for the rest of my high school years. Sometime when I was still in Oxford and Tony's father approached me about us going into business together, Cain somehow found a ruby which granted him his magical-based powers. I do not know where he got it or how he got it. His powers being based in magic means he makes the impossible possible.

"I've managed to take him down five years ago, but it was not easy. It meant needing to perform a surging psychic attack on him in effort to knock him out . . . it was probably the first time I used my powers in an act that was less than peaceful. But, if I had not, he very well could have killed me; in fact, he was about to." Xavier found that it was hard to hold back his emotions as he told the tale of how the Juggernaut came to be. It was one of the most painful experiences that he had to go through in life, and now, his X-men were about to come face to face with Cain and the unstoppable force that gave him such raw power.

The X-men sat there taking it all in. The fact that Xavier himself had been abused by a family member told Scott part of the reason why he had taken him in. It was because Xavier had felt a kindred spirit between the two of them. Scott gripped the steering wheel on the jet a little bit harder as he remembered his last foster father, Jack Winters, who would beat him if he did not use his powers to commit petty crimes for him. They soon enough were in Woodstock, and when they looked down below, they could see the large, towering man known as the Juggernaut causing obliteration to the town.

"Holy shit," Happy whispered, shaking his head.

"Wow . . . he did all this?" asked Bobby in shock. He was mystified that someone could cause so much destruction.

"Indeed, Bobby. The only objective you all have is to knock the helmet that he is wearing off of him, because his helmet blocks out all psychic powers," Xavier explained.

"Piece of cake," Warren said, though he was lying through his teeth.

"Alright, X-men, you have your objectives," Scott announced, taking charge of the situation. He looked to Rhodey. "Rhodey, take the controls." He got up out of his seat and got the plane on autopilot.

"I have been in contact with Thunderbird and Wolverine. They're minutes away from our location. Henry, Cecilia; Forge, protect the civilians. Jean, Scott, Bobby, Warren; Ororo, you know what to do. Tony, get the news crew away from the area," Xavier told them.

Woodstock, Vermont

Down below in the town of Woodstock, the Juggernaut continued to cause a mass destruction, using his full power to its advantage as he ripped apart the roads. It was no wonder why he was supposed to get his own cell in Rikers Island Prison that would be able to contain him and his power.

Just as Juggernaut was about to lift up a large truck to smash down into the roads, a single optic blast hit him in the back. The towering, muscular man turned to see the X-men coming his way, Cyclops' hand on his visor.

"OH SHIT! CHARLIE I DIDN'T REALIZE YOU WERE BRINGING YOUR PETS! HOW CUTE IS THIS!" Cain said, laughing, his voice booming. "HOW CONVENIENT? I JUST HAPPEN TO BE HUNGRY!"

"You're hungry? How about I tell you the main course? How would you like a sno-cone . . . Iceman style?" suggested Iceman who was in his full organic ice form, sliding down on a path of ice he'd created. However, before he could get close to Juggernaut to fire a blast of ice his way, the Juggernaut grabbed him and tossed him like he weighed nothing.

"Got you, Bobby!" Marvel Girl said, catching him with her telekinesis.

"Yeah, okay, I think that we underestimated just how hard this would be," Iceman said after Marvel Girl set him down on his feet.

"Oh really? You think?" asked Marvel Girl sarcastically.

"Okay, team; let's focus on the mission here. We need to get that helmet off of him. Warren, give me a lift," Cyclops said.

"On it, Scottie," Angel said, grabbing Cyclops' wrist and taking off into the air.

"Storm, we can use a couple of F5's right about now," Cyclops announced.

"That can be arranged." Storm's blue eyes glowed bright white as she used her powers to manipulate the winds around them to form tow F5 tornadoes, the lightning crackling in the skies.

"Jean . . . have you been practicing?" Cyclops asked her.

"Yes," Marvel Girl said confidently.

"Okay, hold him in place . . . see how long you can keep hold of him."

"On it." Marvel Girl began concentrating her telekinesis right on the Juggernaut, holding him in a telekinetic hold, but, just simply doing that was proving to be a challenge on the psychic. Cyclops put his visor on the highest setting, firing an optic blast at the Juggernaut in an effort to knock his helmet off of his head. Iceman proceeded to try and freeze Cain in place, but, Marko managed to break free of the ice that Iceman had formed around him.

As the X-men made the attempt at keeping Cain away from the civilians, Tony, Cecilia, Beast, Forge and Professor Xavier were making the attempt at keeping the civilians out of the way.

"Everybody out of here!" shouted Cecilia, directing everyone out of the way.

"How do you think the others are holding up?" asked Forge.

"All I hope is that they are doing okay," Beast said anxiously as he moved young children out of the way. The human civilians that were there didn't even seem to care that Beast was the one getting their children to safety. They were more terrified of what Marko was doing in that moment in time destroying half the town of Woodstock. Just as they were clearing out the last of the civilians, Thunderbird, Warpath and Wolverine arrived.

"About time you guys showed up!" Tony said to them.

"Yeah, we know," Thunderbird said. "I haven't seen anything like this in five years."

"Well to be fair, you've had Cain in your custody for the past five years," said Professor Xavier.

"Alright, looks like my students are going to need backup," Wolverine noted. "I'm going in there."

"Careful, Wolverine. The last thing we need is Carol suing us," Warpath said.

Wolverine rolled his eyes, running into the fray. He noticed that Cyclops and Marvel Girl had taken cover behind a demolished house, still trying to get the Juggernaut's helmet off his head.

"KIDS!" Wolverine shouted, running towards Cyclops and Marvel Girl.

"About time you showed up, Logan," Cyclops said, still firing with precision.

"Jeannie, remember, Fastball Special, just like we've practiced, and One-Eye, I think we should make it extra special," Wolverine told them, gesturing for them to come out of their hiding place.

"Are you sure about this?" Cyclops sounded uncertain that they should be doing that.

"Positive," Wolverine told them. Marvel Girl readied her telekinesis to lift him up, flinging him towards Cain Marko while Cyclops gave him a boost with a single optic blast. "HHHHHRRRR!" he growled out; his claws popped out as he prepared to attack. However, despite Storm's F5's and Angel and Iceman making the attempts at distractions, Juggernaut managed to knock Wolverine backwards onto the pavement. Despite this, Wolverine got himself back up and onto his feet, running in like a bat out of hell. However, Juggernaut was proving to be stronger than all of them, knocking everyone backwards and grabbing Angel by his wings, tossing him.

"WARREN!" Marvel Girl screamed out, catching him and lowering him down. She noticed his wings to be at an odd angle. Clearly, damage had been done. She rushed over to him. "GUYS, WAR'S DOWN!" she shouted, kneeling beside him to examine his wings which obviously had fractures. Angel groaned in pain as she turned him over onto his stomach.

Cyclops proceeded to step in as Juggernaut said, "YOU THINK YOU CAN STOP ME?! I AM RAW POWER!"

"Oh yeah, you want it raw, tough guy? Well, then take it, RAW!" Cyclops yelled. He ripped his visor off his face, opening his eyes to allow his concussive optic blasts to hit Juggernaut right in the face. Juggernaut tried to push forward, but, despite his efforts, his helmet came off of his head as he tried to fight against Cyclops' power. Finally, when Cyclops felt his power drain, he shut his eyes, allowing the professor to perform a surging psychic attack on the Unstoppable Juggernaut. Before they knew it, Cain was down for the count, falling to the ground as he collapsed.

"Okay, I hope we never have to do that again!" Iceman said.

"Warren's hurt pretty bad, guys; we're going to need to evac," Marvel Girl announced as Cyclops and Wolverine came over. Cyclops and Wolverine leaned down, grabbing Angel by the arms to support him up to his feet so that they could get him onto the jet. Angel hissed in pain.

"Easy, Wings," Wolverine whispered as they got Angel onto the jet in the medical bay where Cecilia and Beast were awaiting. After settling Angel down in the med bay in the back of the jet, they went to regroup with the others.

"Alright, let's get him packed up so we can continue with getting him to Rikers," said Thunderbird.

"After a mission such as this, I could use a cold beer," Warpath said.

"I'll second that, bub," Wolverine said around a wolfish grin.

"But, guys, I'm starting to think that something is not adding up," said Thunderbird. "I mean, Magneto releases Juggernaut on us to attack, on the same day that we are transferring . . ."

"The Brotherhood," Warpath whispered in realization. "OH SHIT!" he shouted, rushing off and pulling his cellphone out.

"What's he panicking about?" asked Marvel Girl.

"Carol's in charge of transferring the Brotherhood to Rikers . . . if this is a set-up . . ." Wolverine whispered, suddenly feeling his stomach flip with sickness as he worried about his girlfriend. Warpath turned to them.

"She's not answering her phone! We better track her location," he informed them.

Up next: Memory Musings

A/N:

Tuesday night, I got my Dark Phoenix Blu-Ray, watched the movie a second time, and I fell in love with it all over again. There were so many scenes where my eyes just kept tearing up because it was just as I remembered it to be from the first time I saw it months ago.