| Rictor manages to stay out of the way while Sabretooth and Caliban battle each other in the Morlock tunnels. While Cable and the New Mutants trudge through the tunnels in search of their teammate, they are soon met by Masque and some other surviving Morlocks. The two parties decide not to battle, and Masque allows the New Mutants to pass. The New Mutants eventually find Rictor, with Caliban and Sabretooth looming over him, the young heroes engage them in battle, eventually covering Caliban in a pile of rubble, unaware that Sabretooth has taken off with Rictor. Nearby, Sabretooth harasses Rictor, until finally Rictor manages to use his powers, causing a cave in over himself and Sabretooth. The New Mutants hear the commotion and track Rictor down. Sabretooth reappears and the New Mutants are about to fight him when Masque and his followers return, declaring that Sabretooth is theirs for the crimes he committed against the Morlock community. Cable agrees, but before the Morlocks can attack Sabretooth, Caliban returns, surprising Masque by his new appearance. Caliban doesn’t want any more Morlock blood spilled, so he attacks Sabretooth, and in a very short battle, wins. The New Mutants leave Sabretooth’s motionless body in the tunnels, and return home, with Caliban thinking to himself that the day will come when Cable and his followers participate in a trial by fire at his hands. A few days later, the New Mutants visit Rictor who is recovering from his wounds, and question him as to why he is being so hard to Cable, he doesn’t answer them and they tell him they cannot support his views if he will not elaborate on them. Rictor realizes his friends are right, and later goes to practice in the Danger Room, only to discover that Cable is using it. Rictor watches Cable’s awesome display, and admits that he is beginning to respect him. |
