UXP # 66: Age of Apocalypse # 5: "The Quest"

X-Calibre # 2-3, Gambit and the X-Ternals # 2, X-Calibre # 4, Gambit and the X-Ternals # 3, Generation Next # 2-4

As the X-Men teams and Weapon X deal with the Cullings in Chicago and Indiana, the Manie Evacuation, Europe's prepared nuke attack, and Apocalypse kicking the asses of both Magneto and Bishop, Nightcrawler, the X-Ternals and Generation Next are all off trying to fix time.

Nightcrawler continues on the Infernal Gallop, which is operated by his mother, Mystique. However, when things go wrong on the crappiest submarine I've ever seen, Nightcrawler and those humans on the Infernal Gallop end up on a ship Captained by Callisto. Callisto, on the other hand, kills them all except for Nightcrawler. Nightcrawler then takes revenge by killing all of Callisto's crew. Mystique shows up and takes care of Callisto. Nightcrawler then talks his mother into going to Avalon with him, despite her guilt over stealing everyone's riches that wish to go there. After killing Moonstar, Damask and Dead Man Wade follow Nightcrawler and Callisto into Avalon. Damask, however, is stunned to find just how beautiful and alive it is and decides to kill Dead Man Wade and live there with the rest of the group. In the meantime, Destiny is plaqued by visions that Apocalypse is on his way to destroy Avalon.

Across the universe, Gambit and the X-Ternals arrive on some random planet where they must fight the Imperial Guard. A battle ensues and Richtor ends up teaming up with the Imperial Guard. As he does, the X-Ternals find themselves with a Deathbird-led Starjammers and they race off, searching for the M'Krann Crystal.

Back in Avalon, the Shadow King attacks and nearly destroys it. At one point, he almost kills Destiny, but she is saved by her adopted son, Doug Ramsey, who then dies in the process. Shadow King is bested and Destiny agrees to go back to America with Nightcrawler.

Again, across the universe, the X-Ternals find the M'Krann Crystal and go after it. As Guido, Sunspot, the Starjammers, and Jubilee contend with Richtor and the Imperial Guard, Deathbird, Lila Cheny, and Gambit enter the Crystal. It's there they find D'Ken, who is catatonic. Gambit also meets Jahf, who confirms Bishop's story. Eventually, Gambit must "give up" something so as to retrieve a part of the M'Krann. He gives up his love of Rogue and without Sunspot (he's dead, I guess), the X-Ternals head on home.

Back on Earth, Colossus and Generation Next go to break into the Portland Core, the biggest power source in America, which is continually being mined by humans under Apocalypse's control. Running the show is Quentis and the vile Surgar Man. Vincete and Husk disguise themselves as Quentis while Skin and Chamber sneak their way in. Modo and Colossus are running the rescue. Eventually, the secrets all slip out, there's a riot, and no one makes it alive excpet for Shadowcat, Colossus, and Illyana, with the Surgar Man all small and tiny and hiding in Colossus' boot.

Overall, a fairly good installment of the Age of Apocalypse. Some parts are better than others, but none of them are really anything amazing. There are some cool scenes, and some general story elements that work really well. But other than that, pretty average stuff, both art and writing wise.

~W~