Spoilers: Tempest (Alternate Storm) reacts sharply upon seeing Forge, as her own Forge abandoned her with a child. She orders her Avengers to attack X-Force. Betsy and Rachel quickly read their minds, realizing they’re from another universe, and devise a plan to stop them. Betsy amplifies Rachel’s powers, complete with her signature butterfly effect, and Rachel pretends to be the Phoenix—a figure these Avengers revere in their own reality. Once both teams reach an understanding, the Avengers explain that their Nuklo destroyed their Man-Thing, destabilizing ley lines that began releasing destructive energies, devastating cities and killing hundreds in their world.
As the 616 Man-Thing begins to reform, Sage deduces that Nuklo’s next target is another dimensional nexus. Forge theorizes that Nuklo is attempting to link three dimensional points to permanently keep the dimensional rifts open. Running analytics, Sage predicts Nuklo’s heading toward a nexus point in Quebec, Canada, which Loki originally opened years ago (in X-Men/Alpha Flight #1-2, 1985). Meanwhile, creatures are emerging from these portals to attack various regions on Earth.
Upon arriving in Quebec, X-Force and Tempest’s Avengers join forces, battling their way through monsters to reach the nexus. Just as Nuklo is about to open it, Storm and Iron Knight (James Rhodes) decide to attack him directly, knowing he’s vulnerable to electricity. Nuklo retaliates, apparently killing Tempest and Iron Knight. Realizing she may be the key to sealing the rift, Surge prepares to intervene, despite Sage warning her that the power required will be too much for her to endure. Forge charges Surge, who accepts her fate, acknowledging that some choices must be made for the greater good. She unleashes her power, vanquishing Nuklo, but the immense energy consumes her, resulting in her ultimate sacrifice. Forge accepts this outcome as necessary, but Sage confronts him, accusing him of sacrificing Surge and quits the team.
“For so long, my life has been out of control. Chaos and serendipity, wrapped in insanity. I have suffered, I have lost. Not just my life, but my very soul, my self. But no more. Now I know who I am.” – Elizabeth ‘Betsy’ Braddock, daughter of Otherworld, mutant, telepath, telekinetic, defender of the realm and, above all, X-Man.
