Rogue carries Nakia and X-23 guards them, they reach the entrance of the Mystic Garden. With a powerful blast, Rogue melts a large, ring-shaped hole through the giant door, creating a passage for them to enter. X-23 swiftly leaps through the opening, followed by Rogue. Nakia gazes up in surprise to see Shikaawa standing before her.
Meanwhile, the Jaguar soldiers aim their weapons at the intruders, but Shikaawa raises his hand, commanding them to stop. "It's pointless," he declares, "If they were able to defeat the droids, you are mere flies buzzing around them. Go and make yourselves useful by guarding the prisoners."
With a wave of his hand, Shikaawa summons his plant golems, readying himself as the last line of defense. Nakia, filled with confusion, shouts at him, "Shikaawa! What is going on?"
X-23, recognizing the connection between Nakia and Shikaawa, responds, "You know this guy?"
Rogue chimes in, a hint of excitement in her voice, "Well, we're certainly about to get to know him, darlin'."
Nakia continues to question Shikaawa, her eyes catching sight of a collar around his neck adorned with a jaguar pendant. Her mind races to recall where she has seen something similar before. Sensing the impending danger, Rogue gently lowers Nakia to the ground, preparing herself for the imminent battle that lies ahead.
In the midst of the intense battle, Rogue and X-23 find themselves locked in combat against Shikaawa and his army of powerful plant golems. The lush greenery of the Mystic Garden provides a stunning backdrop, with towering trees and vibrant flowers surrounding them. The air is thick with the scent of earth and the sounds of leaves rustling in the wind.
As Rogue's cosmic energy flares around her, illuminating the area with a golden glow, she clashes against the relentless assaults of the golems. Her punches and kicks are imbued with incredible strength, sending shockwaves through the ground. The golems retaliate, their wooden limbs striking with tremendous force, testing Rogue's resilience.
Beside her, X-23 darts through the chaos with unmatched agility. Her adamantium claws slice through the golems' thick bark, causing fragments to scatter like leaves in the wind. She moves with lethal precision, anticipating their every move and countering with deadly strikes. The battle becomes a dance of power and finesse, with X-23's movements fluid and graceful, blending seamlessly with her predatory instincts.
Nakia observes the fierce clash, her eyes darting between the combatants. Concern and determination fill her voice as she shouts to X-23, "That device! It's a soul-binding device! It controls him!" Her words cut through the chaos, reaching X-23's ears, igniting a spark of realization.
X-23's eyes narrow as she focuses on Shikaawa. With a surge of determination, she charges forward, evading the flailing vines and slashing through the golems with precision. Each strike is a calculated move, aimed to disable rather than destroy. The clashing of metal against bark echoes through the garden as X-23 closes in on Shikaawa.
Their eyes lock for a brief moment, a mixture of confusion and recognition passing between them. X-23's voice resonates with determination as she hisses, "You're not yourself, Shikaawa. Fight it!"
As if in response to her plea, X-23 lunges forward with unparalleled speed and accuracy. Her claws, glinting dangerously in the sunlight, zero in on the collar around Shikaawa's neck. In one swift motion, the sharp adamantium slices through the device, severing the bond that held Shikaawa captive.
As the collar falls away, Shikaawa staggers backward, his expression shifting from one of aggression to a mix of confusion and relief. He blinks, momentarily disoriented by the sudden release from the device's influence. The battle around them momentarily halts, as the combatants take in the sight of the freed Shikaawa, uncertainty and curiosity filling the air.
X-23's gaze meets Shikaawa's, a flicker of empathy passing between them. She steps forward, her voice steady but filled with a hint of vulnerability. "I've been used as a weapon, controlled against my will," she admits, her claws retracting as she extends a hand towards Shikaawa. "I know what it's like to have your agency stripped away, to be a pawn in someone else's game. I understand more than you think."
Shikaawa's eyes widen with a mix of surprise and gratitude as he takes X-23's hand, their bond forged through shared experiences. "Thank you," he whispers, his voice filled with genuine appreciation. "It means more to me than you know."
As Shikaawa's attention shifts to Nakia, his eyes glisten with joy at seeing her. "Nakia," he exclaims, his voice filled with warmth and fondness. "It's been far too long since we last crossed paths."
His gaze then falls upon Nakia's injuries, concern etched across his face. Without hesitation, he gets down on the ground and summons a variety of healing plants with a flourish. The vibrant flora responds to his touch, transforming into a soothing salve and supple vines to aid Nakia's wounds.
X-23 watches the scene unfold, her admiration for Shikaawa growing with each passing moment. She sees the gentleness in his actions, the care he pours into tending to Nakia's injuries. It reminds her of the compassion she's witnessed in her own teammates and how they've supported her during her own struggles.
Shikaawa rises to his feet, his gaze shifting between Nakia, X-23, and the weary Rogue. Determination fills his voice as he addresses them all. "My friends, It seems I shall once again be a guide," he declares, his tone filled with unwavering resolve. "
Shikaawa leads the way, the trio approaches the liquid dimensional prison, guarded by perplexed sentries who are taken aback by their sudden presence. Before the guards can react, Shikaawa swiftly claps his hands together, and with a flourish, thick roots burst from the ground, snaking their way around the bewildered guards, binding them securely.
Rogue grins, her eyes gleaming mischievously. "Well, ain't you just a handy addition to the team? Mighty convenient, I'd say."
X-23 nods in agreement, her focus shifting to the unconscious forms of their captured comrades. "It's good that we've found them, but how do we free them from this prison?" she questions,
Shikaawa chuckles, a twinkle in his eyes as he approaches the liquid prison. He taps his staff against its shimmering surface, causing ripples to cascade through the purple fluid. "Ah, my friends, that's a simple matter," he explains, a note of confidence in his voice. "This prison is strong from the inside, but from the outside, it's quite fragile."
With a precise jab of his staff, the purple liquid erupts, gushing out from the prison like a torrential downpour. As the liquid splashes onto the ground, revealing the soaked and unconscious bodies of the X-Men, Shikaawa turns to his allies with a grin. "I'll admit, it's not the most elegant design, but sometimes you have to work with the cards you have on hand."
Rogue rushes forward, concern etched across her face as she checks on her fallen teammates, helping them regain consciousness. X-23 observes with a mix of relief and gratitude, realizing that Shikaawa's unique abilities and resourcefulness have proven invaluable in their mission to rescue their comrades.
As the X-Men gradually regain consciousness, their senses sharpening, their immediate reaction to the sight of Shikaawa is one of intense hostility. The memories of their defeat and capture flood their minds, fueling their anger and triggering their instinct to fight back. Nightcrawler, Storm, Cyclops, and Jubilee instantly tense up, ready to launch themselves at their captor.
However, X-23 swiftly leaps in front of Shikaawa, her adamantium claws at the ready, as she positions herself as a shield. Her fierce loyalty and understanding born from her own experiences of being controlled and used as a weapon prompt her to intervene.
Rogue, aware of the tension and confusion brewing within the team, steps forward with urgency, her voice filled with determination. "Hold on, y'all!" she calls out, her tone commanding attention. "I know it's hard to believe, but Shikaawa here is on our side. He helped us escape and has been guiding us ever since."
Storm, her eyes narrowing, takes a step forward, her voice laced with skepticism. "Explain yourself, Rogue. How can we trust him after what he's done to us?" she demands, her voice tinged with a mix of caution and disbelief.
Rogue takes a deep breath, understanding the gravity of the situation. She recounts the events that led to their capture, highlighting Shikaawa's role as a reluctant participant, compelled by outside forces to capture the X-Men. She emphasizes his subsequent change of heart, his regret, and his unwavering commitment to help them set things right.
Cyclops remains on high alert, his visor glowing with suppressed energy. "What guarantee do we have that he won't turn on us again?" he questions, his voice filled with skepticism.
Rogue looks at Shikaawa, her expression resolute. "We don't have guarantees in this line of work, but he's proven himself so far. He's taken risks to protect us, and he's been instrumental in our progress. We're all in this together, and we need his knowledge and abilities to succeed."
Nightcrawler, struggling to contain his anger, steps forward, his gaze fixed on Shikaawa. "If what you say is true, then we may need to put aside our personal feelings for the greater good," he concedes, his voice laced with caution.
Jubilee, her fists clenched, hesitates for a moment before nodding in agreement. "Fine, we'll give him a chance. But one wrong move, and I won't hesitate to light up the sky with my fireworks," she warns, her tone firm.
As the tension begins to dissipate, the X-Men gradually lower their guard, their anger giving way to a sense of guarded trust. They understand that the situation calls for unity and collaboration. With cautious determination, they stand alongside Shikaawa, X-23, and Rogue.