Marvel's month-long X-Men event X-Manhunt crossed over with Storm, Uncanny X-Men, X-Men, Exceptional X-Men, X-Force, NYX, and X-Factor and concluded with X-Manhunt Omega. The story surrounds Charles Xavier attempting to leave Earth to save his daughter, Xandra, who was captured by Shi'ar rebels. Unfortunately, there was a tumor in his brain that was going to kill him and it was messing with his powers. He also had to avoid the various people trying to return him to Graymalkin Prison.
To avoid going back, Xavier had mutants to help him (Storm and Sage), almost got others killed during NYX, while his other former students (Cyclops’ team and X-Factor) were trying to capture him. Charles also had one egg left to resurrect his wife, Lilandra Neramani, who had removed the deadly tumor from his brain. This left him clearheaded for the first time in a while, leading to a decision that could have ruined everything he tried to do.
Xavier avoided capture but he goes back to Earth and calls Cyclops, Magik, Wolverine, Rogue, Gambit, Forge, Angel, Magneto, Storm, Kamala Khan, and Kitty Pryde to see him off.
"I’m afraid yours will now be the greatest burden, Scott. All will look to you. Because of who you are."Charles Xavier "X-Manhunt Omega"
It wasn’t just a goodbye; he apologizes for his actions because he was unlike himself for a long time. After that, he announced that he was retiring, saying that he never wanted to be a general; he wanted to be a professor and it cost him everyone he cared about. Before traveling into space, he sends a message to mutants around the world to love and be there for each other. And, with that, Xavier leaves with Lilandra to save their daughter (that will happen in Imperial by Jonathan Hickman, Iban Coello, and Federico Viceentini).
"They do not ask for perfection. They only ask that you be there when they need you."Charles Xavier "X-Manhunt Omega"
This was the first big crossover starring the X-Men since the Fall of X (Raid on Graymalkin only involved two comics, so I’m not counting that). With different creative teams and a new direction since Krakoa, this had to be done right. Thankfully, it was more than just an event; it was an emotional crossover that reminded readers what the X-Men were about. They shouldn’t be fighting each other. They should be for each other.
This series had a lot of battles, but it was more than the optic blasts, lightning bolts, and metal claws that hurt everyone. They were hit in the heart. Each team had their own agenda with none of them willing to budge on them. Thankfully, this ends with hugs and love. So, in the end, Charles did one last good thing before he left. He stopped his X-Men from fighting by reminding them that they’re a family.
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