The X-Men resume their roles as freedom fighters in spite of the departure of Desert Ghost. Desdemona Synge catches, interrogates, and loses a shape-shifting casino cheat revealed to be a prior Loki imposter who once battled the X-Men. Meanstreak contemplates his goals to the team until meeting up with the shapeshifter, once Jordon Boone, renamed Halloween Jack. Both prior co-workers to the Alchemex pharaceutical company, Halloween Jack prompts Meanstreak a partnership to take over Las Vegas.