Issue #25: "Fall of X – Part One"
This issue marks a dramatic shift as the Krakoan era enters its twilight. In the aftermath of the Hellfire Gala massacre and Orchis’ violent ascension, the X-Men go underground. Cyclops is in Orchis custody, heavily sedated and under psychological duress. Meanwhile, Shadowkat (formerly Kitty Pryde) adopts a darker, stealthier role, infiltrating Orchis operations and eliminating enemies with ruthless efficiency. Firestar is revealed to be operating undercover within Orchis, maintaining her cover while feeding intel back to the X-Men. This issue sets a grim tone, showcasing the desperation and resilience of the mutants now cast as fugitives in a world that once hailed them as saviors.
Issue #26: "The Search for Hope"
With Krakoa fallen, the X-Men scatter across the globe. Jean Grey is missing and presumed dead after the Gala, and Cyclops remains in captivity. Synch and Talon (formerly Laura Kinney) operate in secret, protecting mutant refugees and plotting small-scale strikes against Orchis. Shadowkat's brutal efficiency continues as she dismantles Orchis operations cell by cell. Meanwhile, Firestar risks exposure as her allegiance is questioned by Orchis leadership. The emotional core of the issue centers on Synch and Talon’s deepening bond—tempered by the time Synch spent with an older version of Laura during X-Men (2021) #1–12. The team is fragmented but determined to rebuild from the shadows.
Issue #27: "Lines Crossed"
The tension escalates as Firestar is caught between duty and deception. Her double-agent status teeters on the edge as she’s forced to participate in morally questionable missions alongside Orchis operatives. Shadowkat continues her campaign of vengeance, questioning whether she is still acting as a hero or something else entirely. Meanwhile, Synch and Talon narrowly escape a trap set by Orchis after rescuing a group of mutants. Talon grows increasingly uneasy about Synch’s lingering feelings for her alternate self. Their emotional conflict provides an introspective lens into identity and love across timelines. At Orchis HQ, Dr. Stasis and MODOK express growing frustration over Firestar’s presence, hinting at suspicions and future reckoning.
Issue #28: "Outlaw X-Men"
A makeshift X-Men team—comprised of Synch, Talon, Shadowkat, and Firestar—forms in the shadows of New York City. While publicly branded as terrorists, they operate covertly to protect mutantkind and dismantle Orchis’ expanding network. Cyclops attempts a mental escape from his drugged state, resisting Orchis' invasive psychological probing. Firestar’s covert actions finally bear fruit as she passes critical intel to Shadowkat, enabling a major victory against an Orchis data facility. The issue ends with the debut of a new underground base nicknamed “The Treehouse 2.0,” hidden beneath Manhattan. Shadowkat’s transformation from idealist to cold operative becomes a focal point as the team embraces their new roles as outlaws.
Issue #29: "Trust and Treachery"
Shadowkat leads a high-risk mission to retrieve a mutant artifact before Orchis can weaponize it. Firestar’s role becomes increasingly precarious as she’s tasked with assassinating a captured mutant to prove her loyalty. She instead fakes the kill, further endangering her cover. Talon and Synch clash over trust—both in each other and in Firestar’s intentions. Meanwhile, back at Orchis HQ, MODOK and Stasis move forward with plans to exploit captured mutants for future experiments. The issue ends on a cliffhanger as Firestar’s duplicity is hinted at being exposed. The final page shows Shadowkat silently watching Orchis from a rooftop, eyes filled with grim resolve and weariness.
Thematic Exploration
Issues #25–29 of X-Men (2021) serve as a harrowing chronicle of survival, secrecy, and identity in the ruins of Krakoa. The arc plunges the X-Men into unfamiliar territory—no longer public heroes, they are now hunted fugitives navigating a world where their utopia has collapsed. Shadowkat’s transformation from idealistic leader to lethal infiltrator underscores the desperation of the era, while Firestar’s delicate dance as a double agent explores the cost of loyalty and subterfuge.
Synch and Talon’s emotionally fraught relationship highlights the personal consequences of temporal displacement and emotional continuity, as they struggle with how much of their bond is real versus remembered. The series also explores the ethical limits of war, with mutants forced into morally gray territory to preserve their kind.
“Fall of X” is less about spectacle and more about psychological endurance, trust under fire, and the evolving meaning of heroism when traditional systems fail. These issues mark a compelling, character-driven pivot for the franchise, preparing the ground for a potential renaissance—or reckoning—in the mutant saga.
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