X-Men: Cyclops FINALLY Has a True Second-in-Command

WARNING: The following contains spoilers for New Mutants #13, by Ed Brisson, Rod Reis and VC's Travis Lanham, and Cable #5, by Gerry Duggan, Phil Noto and VC's Joe Sabino, on sale now.

Cyclops is the X-Men's most reliable field leader, boasting years of fighting experience and excellent tactical skills. While there have been several other important mutant leaders, including Storm and Havok, no one has ever truly replaced him as the team's default field commander.

Despite the many mutant leaders around him, Cyclops has never really found a true second-in-command either, until now. However, Marvel's X of Swords event has made it abundantly clear that Illyana Rasputin, the New Mutants' Magik, is more than able to be Cyclops' most trusted lieutenant.

In New Mutants #13, by Ed Brisson and Rod Reis, Magik updates Cyclops on the upcoming tournament between Krakoa's mutant champions and the champions of Arakko, before the two share a moment of hidden strategy. Indeed, Cyclops and Magik basically speak in the same coded language, working in simpatico to figure out contingency plans from behind the scenes.

Later, while Cyclops is in space, Magik takes it upon herself to train Cypher for the upcoming tournament. Not only does Magik prepare Cypher physically, but she also gets him mentally ready for war, much like Cyclops would if he were present. Illyana's intense training sessions echo Cyclops' danger room sessions with the rest of the X-Men, showing their similar, military-like mindsets.

In Cable #5, by Gerry Duggan and Phil Noto, Cyclops returns from space, entrusting Magik to look after Cable in Otherworld. This task is a fairly big deal, considering Scott didn't even want his son to fight in the tournament, further highlighting his trust in Illyana by having her watch over his only son in a battle where he could die for real.

While she was initially just Colossus, little sister, Illyana became such a battle-hardened, skilled fighter due to her time in Limbo. As a child, Illyana was abducted by the demon Belasco, essentially growing up in Limbo until she was 13. While there, Illyana met an alternate future version of Kitty Pryde, who taught her how to fight. Illyana became particularly skilled with axes and swords, constantly battling demons and some alternate versions of the X-Men. In this intense environment, Illyana eventually forged the Soulsword out of her own life force energy, which she carries with her to this day.

It's because of her training and intensity that Magik became Cyclops' lieutenant, and she's served alongside him ever since the X-Men founded the island of Utopia in the early 2010s. During this time, Cyclops tasked Magik with some major assignments. For example, during "Fear Itself," when the Juggernaut became possessed and attacked San Francisco, Cyclops ordered Magik to enter the Crimson Cosmos and steal Cain Marko's power from the ancient god Cyttorak.

When the X-Men split up during "Regenesis," Magik also sided with Cyclops, joining his "Extinction Team" as a key member. Cyclops and Magik were both members of the "Phoenix Five" during Avengers vs. X-Men, sharing the power of the Phoenix Force. After their defeat at the hands of the Avengers, Magik worked to break Cyclops out of jail.

While Illyana was one of Scott's top lieutenants for much of this era, the pair have only grown closer since they both became two of Krakoa's four battle-hardened Great Captains. With mutual respect and understanding, it's difficult to find the perfect match for a leader as well-regarded as Cyclops, but Magik has proven herself more than capable of complementing Scott's strategic mindset.

KEEP READING: X of Swords: Wolverine Blames [SPOILER] for Marvel's Mutant War