The elder Storm, who had been trapped in Limbo for many years, goes to save her as the X-Men's portal brings them back to Earth. She confronts Belasco, who reshapes Illyana's soul in his own image before Storm's eyes. He exclaims how Illyana is now bound to him, and forms the first of five bloodstones that will "burst" the dimensional walls when all are collected in the medallion he makes for her. He takes down Storm with a single blast when she realizes each bloodstone will make Belasco stronger. A masked woman he refers to as Cat appears, attempting to kill him, but Belasco vanishes before the fight is finished.

Storm teleports them back to her home after assessing Illyana is unconscious. She tucks her into bed when Cat reveals that part of her hates Illyana, blaming her for why they were stuck in Limbo. She explains that in their past, Illyana was rescued while the X-Men became trapped in Limbo. Illyana gets up to spy on them as they talk in the other room, and realizes that Cat is actually an adult Kitty Pryde. Meanwhile, Storm and Cat are discussing her fate and Storm's weak condition when they notice Illyana is up. Storm tucks her back in and promises to send her home once she frees her from Belasco's enchantment.

She then enters Illyana's mind, where she finds it transformed into evil, and faces off against a demonic version of an older Illyana. She reveals Storm as a kindred spirit, who had also been corrupted by Belasco, but Storm denies it. She manages to break from Illyana's mind where she wakes on the floor in Cat's arms. She explains she's unable to cure Illyana and cannot send her to Earth at the risk of Belasco using her as a portal, and therefore wishes to help her by making the girl her apprentice. Cat protests, believing it's exactly what Belasco wants, and demands they just kill her. They get into an argument, as Storm believes that would make them no different from Belasco, but Cat argues that she already is, as Storm was once his apprentice. Storm tries to soothe her by calling her "Kitten" like she did when she was younger, but it only enrages her more. She takes off her mask to show her face, which is feline in appearance, exclaiming she hasn't been "Kitten" or even human since Belasco transformed her into part cat. She then runs off, cursing Storm.

Later, when Illyana awakes, Storm takes her for a walk around her garden. Illyana tells Storm of her dream, but Storm explains that she was there and that it was no dream, but another kind of reality. She then teaches Illyana to utilize her astral form, and the two continue their tour, perceiving the life force of the organisms around them. Illyana notices some of the flowers are black, and Storm explains it's because of the fundamental evil of Limbo. However, she believes they can be saved and heals them, much to Illyana's awe. She would like to learn how, but Storm scolds her, hurting her as she tugs at her arm, explaining it could destroy them all if she was capable of such power. Illyana breaks away, pointing out Belasco never hurt her. Her astral self then turns to where she and Storm are sitting by the tree, and notices blackness inside her, which she wishes Storm to get rid of. Storm explains she tried, when Illyana notices the same blackness in Storm, only bigger. They awake, and Illyana realizes she's bigger, and Storm explains roughly a year has passed since they sat down.

Later that night, Storm senses an intruder, but is soon knocked out by the assailant, Cat. She wakes Illyana and offers a way home that is very dangerous, but explains staying with Storm will only make her evil grow. Illyana accepts and the two leave together. Meanwhile, Belasco is sitting on his throne, aware of everything that is going on, satisfied that Cat's actions will ensure the destruction of the human race.