File:Astonishing X-Men Vol 2 2 001.jpg

Description
After escaping the nuclear annihilation that consumed the former Operation Zero Tolerance base, the X-Men successfully land the Blackbird in one piece. Once they have landed, the X-Men split up, one team to help out Nina and the other to confront Death. Needing more information, Jean enters Nina's mind and learns through communication with the Mannites that Darco, one of their number, is beginning to "evolve". Using Nina, Jean's group travels to a town, where the populace is covered with a sticky, black goo, that is very much alive. Meanwhile, Cyclops' team searches for Death, but instead finds the severed head of Bastion, still very much alive. Suddenly, the airborne Archangel is ambushed by Death, and is instantly defeated. Back at the town, Jean is able to telepathically calm Darco long enough for him to enter his natural chrysalis state. Jean tells the Mannites that Darco will stay in his cocoon until his new abilities fully develop. Meanwhile, as Cable and Cyclops battle Death, they receive a telepathic call from Jean. Having found the answer to the Mannites Changing, she tells them to come back. Cable notices Death listening, who then teleports away. Cable realizes that Death is tracking Jean's location through the telepathic link and now knows where Jean and the Mannites are. Too late to stop him, Cable helplessly watches Death fade from sight. Cyclops, Cable and Archangel race back to Jean inside the Blackbird to head Death off, oblivious of that fact that Death is clinging to the outside of the jet.