The New Mutants (1983)

A new team of mutants is initiated into Professor Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters! Their first trial: the Danger Room!

As Karma received a haircut from Stevie Hunter, the other New Mutants were messing around. Sunspot charmed Wolfsbane with a kiss on the hand, but when Psyche pretended to swoon for his attention she accidentally unleashed her power on Karma. Everyone in the room watched Karma relive her rape and the murder of her parents. In anger Karma attacked Psyche, and possessed Stevie to stop her from intervening. Sunspot stopped the fight by slapping Karma, thus breaking her connection with Stevie's mind. However, Karma was still too upset to accept Psyche's apologies. Leaving the others, Dani began to wander around the school, viewing old photographs of the X-Men in their bedrooms, and watering the plants in Storm's attic. She left after an abrupt telepathic message from Professor Xavier to attend the Danger Room for their first training session.

Meanwhile in London, Moira and Illyana attended a meeting with Gabrielle Haller, the Israeli ambassador about her son. Ms. Haller chain-smoked as she revealed that her son was both autistic and a mutant. Moira suggested that she should seek Professor Xavier's help, but Ms. Haller confessed that she wanted to avoid Xavier as he was the boy's father.

Back at the mansion the New Mutants all take their turn at crossing the Danger Room. In turn, they each fail and Psyche grew increasingly nervous watching her new friends flunk. When it was Psyche's turn, she ran away. Wolfsbane tracked her in the gardens and Psyche revealed her past problems with her powers alienating her from society and showing her parents their deaths. As the rest of the team left for a trip into town, they were watched by some of Gyrich's henchmen.

Psyche remained behind and entered the Danger Room. She used her agility to defeat the robots and safely made it across the room. However, an unknown assailant 'zapped' Psyche in the back of the head knocking her unconscious. They then disabled the safety protocols and trapped Psyche in the Danger Room with a dangerous pre-historic scenario.

A mysterious saboteur turns the Danger Room against Psyche! But the rest of the New Mutants may have it worse when they encounter the Sentinels!

Psyche was running from the prehistoric monsters inside the Danger Room. She escaped up a simulated cliffside and caught her breath as she took in the amazing capabilities of the Danger Room. However, her respite was short lived as the Brood Queen attacked Psyche, knocking her off the cliff. Although the Danger Room's jungle trees broke her fall, Psyche was left for dead, lying unconscious on the Danger Room's jungle floor.

In Salem Centre Mall the other New Mutants left a showing of ET, while Stevie Hunter went to call the school. The New Mutants met a local group of kids who verbally spar with Sunspot, and mistakenly call Wolfsbane "Rain". They made friends and went for ice cream together.

Unknown to them Henry Gyrich had been in meetings with Sebastian Shaw. Together they observed the young mutants socialising and discussed the possibility for activating the Project Wide-Awake, unleashing Sentinels on young teenagers. Meanwhile, Stevie was unable to reach anyone at the school, and was pulled aside by the shadowy figure of Michael Rossi. Stevie recalled his name (and the fact that he was meant to be dead) from conversations with her friend Carol Danvers. He confessed to be undercover and acting in the interest of Xavier's students.

However, back in the ice cream parlour Gyrich's agents attempted to take the New Mutants away. Karma took the lead and they followed the agents to the car park. There Rossi intervened and the kids began to use their powers to stop their assailants. However, they were soon attacked by activated sentinels.

The fight soon spread outside, where Sunspot accidentally pushed a sentinel into the main mall building before he ripped the head off. Cannonball had less luck when the sentinel he was about to attack froze him in mid-flight. Karma used her power to posses Cannonball and re-activate his blast field, which propelled him and the sentinel into the atmosphere. Once the ice had melted, Cannonball returned the sentinel crashing against the floor. The fight ended when Rossi convinced Karma to posses the head agent and force a confession to the local police force.

When the team returned to the school they found Psyche unconscious on the de-activated Danger Room floor. She woke and after being told off about using the Danger Room alone by Stevie she explained what had happened, and described the monster that attacked her. Stevie Hunter began to suspect what might have happened, knowing that only herself, Moira MacTaggert and Charles Xavier had clearance to activate the kind of programme that Psyche had experienced.

Unseen by all, the psychich image of the Brood Queen melts into that of Charles Xavier, unconscious in his wheelchair.

Psyche stared out of her bedroom window into the stormy night. The face of the Brood Queen appeared and disappeared almost immediately. When Psyche thought that her own powers were turning against her the face returned as a shadowy monster which grabbed her. She stabbed it with her knife, but it continued to pursue her. She ran through the mansion and found the other New Mutants dead, as if they hadn't survived their individual origins when their own mutant powers activated.
When Psyche grabbed at the creature's face, she pulled a mask off revealing a monster bear.

She woke screaming. Everyone worried for her health, but the Professor re-assured them that she was perfectly healthy. After they left her, Psyche unsheathed her knife and found it covered in blood. She decided to show the Professor, but instead over-heard him in a telephone conversation with Moira MacTaggert in which he described Psyche as potentially psychotic. The despair from hearing the Professor's opinion of her nearly drove Psyche to plunging the knife into her own body.

In Scotland Moira slammed the phone down on Xavier, and Banshee consoled her. She admitted that it was partly fueled with her anger at the knowledge of his secret son, and how her own son had grown into a murderous mutant. Banshee went for a stroll and overheard Illyana Rasputin singing a song to the dawn. She informed him that she made a promise to an old friend to always celebrate her birthday. Banshee remembered that it was Kitty Pryde's birthday, and tried to console her saying that the X-Men had returned from the dead before. However, Illyana had been honouring Kitty's demon future self from Limbo, Cat.

Psyche went for a swim outdoors in the winter air, the next morning. She wast met at the poolside by Karma, and the two discussed her suspicions about the Professor's behaviour. Cannonball was about to start shaving when he blanked out. Karma had possessed him and written a message with shaving foam on the bathroom mirror to meet them at the boathouse. Outraged he demanded to know why she had possessed him, but the others said it had happened to them too. After Psyche explained what had happened, Cannonball doubted what she had said and went to storm out of the boathouse. However, the terrain outside had become alien.

The New Mutants used the underground tunnels to return to the mansion. However the tunnels became organic, and the Brood Queen snatched Psyche. Wolfsbane led the attack, followed by Cannonball and Sunspot. However the Brood Queen soon disappeared.

Psyche was attacked a second time and kidnapped. The Brood Queen cocooned her in the Professor's private study and revealed her plans. She had been using Psyche's mutant abilities, pushing them to their fullest capabilities to create any illusion that the alien desired. Instead of just phantom images, they were real. The Brood Queen planned to inject the New Mutants with eggs and transform them into new Brood. When the others arrived Psyche begged the others to knock her out. Karma's attempt to posses her backfired, and she was possessed by the alien. Cannonball's punch was successful, and once Psyche was unconscious the mansion and it's grounds returned to normal. The Brood Queen vanished again.

The Professor demanded to know what had happened, and after scanning the minds of his students he believed their story of an alien monster. Sunspot later joined Psyche on the porch looking out at the evening air. He reminded her that they were team-mates and friends, which cheered her up just in time for Cannonball to call them in to watch Magnum.

Note: The story with Professor Xavier & the Brood Queen was followed up in Uncanny X-Men # 167, which takes place between New Mutants issues 3 & 4.

Professor X reveals his true motives for re-opening his School for Gifted Youngsters! And with Stevie Hunter's life being threatened, the New Mutants are on the case!

Stevie Hunter has been receiving mysterious and threatening phone calls. Karma over heard the latest call and suggested calling the police, but Stevie said they still wouldn't be able to do anything. Stevie then sent Karma back to Xavier's while she saw to her next dance student, Peter Bristow.

Back at the mansion the other New Mutants were playing frisbee in the snow, when they are called inside by the Professor's telepathic message. In his study Professor Xavier apologized for what happened with the Brood Queen inside him. He admitted that he collected them together as part of the Brood's plan to use them as genetically superior hosts. He then stated that he would continue to teach them if they wished to stay.

Moved by his speech, Psyche spoke for the team saying that they wanted to stay. However, the Professor could see that Karma was distressed and she revealed Stevie's problem with the crank caller. Despite Psyche continuing to challenge him, the Professor agreed that they could help if they approached the situation tactically.

Sunspot creates a phone tap and installed it in Stevie's phone. After waiting for hours Stevie received another crank call. The phone tap provided the number and location of the phone booth used to make the calls. Out on the street Wolfsbane choked on the scent of urine in the public phone booth before she followed the caller's scent to the local high school dance.

While watching outside Wolfsbane detects the fear in a emanating from a student and Stevie realizes that it's her student Peter Bristow. Peter tries to run, and Wolfsbane smashes through the window chasing him causing chaos in the dance. Peter drives away, and the New Mutants give chase. Cannonball manages to save a mother and child from getting hit by Peter's speeding car, managing to safely turn and then set them down with some telepathic coaching from Professor X.

Peter loses control and crashes his car on a site marked 'Danger: Blasting', and a fire ignites. Sunspot discovers a cache of stored explosives inside the build and telepathically informs the Professor who alerts the rest of the team about the need to evacuate. They then locate Peter & Wolfsbane, and Karma possesses Peter to stop him from beating Wolfsbane with a bar. Cannonball then crashes through the building, creating an escape route, and Sunspot held the crumbling roof up long enough for everyone to safely escape.

Back at Stevie's apartment Peter refuses to talk. The Professor admitted that the boy was too frightened to telepathically probe, prompting Psyche to willingly use her powers. At first she showed an image of Peter kissing Stevie, but probing further reveals the image of his parents beating him with a leather belt.

Ashamed, Peter lunged at Psyche, but Karma restrained him. However his sweater tore in the scuffle showing the bruises and lacerations on Peter's back. Emotionally broken down, he confessed that he was ashamed of his love for Stevie, but still wanted her to love him back. However, he grew frustrated as she hadn't punished him like his parents had done as a sign of their love. He burst into tears and Stevie embraced the distraught young man.

Xavier telepathically wipes Peter's mind of the New Mutants' secret identities. An ambulance takes Peter away to receive psychiatric care, and the Professor informs everyone that Child Welfare has been called. Although the New Mutants had done a good job, the Professor still demanded a written report from each of them about what they had done right & wrong.

Notes:

• The cover is a homage to the cover of Baffling Mysteries #7.
• This follows on from events in The Uncanny X-Men #167.

The New Mutants encounter Viper and the Silver Samurai, along with Team America! But who is the Dark Rider? And are the New Mutants ready to go on a mission to rescue one of their own?

Professor Xavier collapsed in agony caused by the psychosomatic pain in his legs. He explained his frustration to Lilandra, and that the shock severed his telepathic link to the New Mutants. The students were with Stevie Hunter at a local fair. They enjoy many of the games, and Sunspot & Psyche enjoyed an airplane ride. After landing Sunspot went over to three members of Team America who were preparing for their act. Sunspot got autographs for his "sister" from Cowboy & RU Reddy, but Wolf's attitude offended Sunspot.

The New Mutants went to find seats for the show, and Team America made their final preparations while being watched by a mysterious figure in dark green. The show began and the kids enjoyed all the motorcycle stunts. However, just before the last part of the show Team America came under attack. Unable to telepathically contact Professor Xavier, the New Mutants sprang into action. Their secret identities were hidden among the confusion & chaos, but they were driven back by the intervention of the Silver Samurai. Even Team America's "guardian angel" the Dark Rider was soon defeated by the Silver Samurai who knocked the Rider unconscious. When he removed the mask he revealed that it was really Psyche. The New Mutants charged him, but were unable to stop the Silver Samurai from teleporting away with Psyche.

When Psyche woke she was clad in a green cat-suit and faced a deadly assault from giant metallic-spiked wheels. There was a motorbike waiting for her, but without the knowledge to use it the vehicle was soon demolished. Amazingly the giant crushing wheels stopped just before they reached Psyche and she was led away by the Silver Samurai to meet Viper. The Viper demanded to know why the Dark Rider suddenly had no knowledge of motorbikes, but in her fear & anger Psyche accidentally revealed Viper's greatest fear. Enraged, Viper struck Psyche and promised to kill her.

Meanwhile back at Xavier's school Tom Rossi provided information on the Silver Samurai, Viper & Dark Rider. Professor Xavier used Cerebro to confirm his suspicions about Team America. In Washington DC, Viper appeared in Honcho's bedroom and blackmailed him. Team America were to steal a crystal for her in return for Psyche's life. Honcho gathered the rest of Team America to discuss the matter, to which Wolf was gruff and didn't care for the girl's life. The sudden appearance of Professor Xavier surprised Team America, and Wolf's unsympathetic talk enraged Sunspot. The Professor ordered the New Mutants to go outside while he discussed the matter with Team America. Outside the kids were angry and confused, but the Professor's telepathic projection explained that he hoped that Team America would save Psyche, or at least stall Viper long enough for the X-Men to arrive and save the day. Sunspot argued with the Professor, and although Karma rebuked him for answering back she agreed that the New Mutants should save their own friend.

The New Mutants and Team America set off on their respective missions to save Psyche and the Silver Samurai! But to find where Psyche is being held, Karma must make a deal she may regret!

The New Mutants broke into the luxurious San Francisco apartment of Karma's uncle, General Nguyen. His two bodyguard floozies were easily knocked out by Karma's power, while Wolfsbane jumped on the General. He refused to provide any information on the Viper, even after Karma possessed him and threatened to throw him off the edge of the balcony. Ultimately Karma agreed to the General's conditions: information for 12 months of her servitude.

Meanwhile in New Mexico RU Reddy teased Wolf about his inferior riding skills, but Professor Xavier's telepathic projection chastised them for fooling around like little boys while Psyche's life was in danger. Team America grew determined to accomplish their goal. In Colorado Xavier confessed to Lilandra that he was having trouble extending his telepathic contact between both the New Mutants in San Francisco & Team America in New Mexico.

In Big Sur, California, Psyche considered her means of escape. Although incapable of doing anything, she remained determined to escape. The Silver Samurai watched her through CCTV and considered how alike she was to the Viper. Viper appeared freshly showered and they discussed how they would kill Psyche, and how the Silver Samurai had been denied his inheritance by Mariko Yashida.

With Xavier's telepathic aid Team America broke into a fortress which acted as an AIM complex. They remained undetected until the opened the safe and an alarm went off. Under fire, they snatched the crystal and fled. However, the fortress suddenly detonated. Simultaneously a psychic attack crippled both Xavier and Lilandra rendering them both unconscious.

Back at Big Sur the New Mutants were prepared to sneak into the Viper's hideout when a mysterious psychic entity began to call out to Karma. It refused to identify itself, revealing that it wanted to bring about Xavier's destruction and that it would use her to do so. Karma screamed, the psychic entity disappeared and Viper's guards were alerted to their presence. Sunspot threw a truck at the facility's generator knocking out the power. The others charged in, while Psyche's cell wall was demolished. As she made her escape she found Wolfsbane unconscious and bleeding on the floor. The Silver Samurai's powerful katana had slashed at Wolfsbane's body, and he was stood above Psyche, ready to kill them both.

Meanwhile Team America were fleeing AIM's flying assault craft. Wolf had been moved by Sunspot's words earlier and called out to the Dark Rider to posses him. Successfully transformed into the Dark Rider, Wolf soon defeated their pursuers.

The Silver Samurai's attack on Psyche & Wolfsbane was foiled by two successive attacks from Cannonball & Sunspot. He teleported out to check on the safety of Viper. Viper had been trying to fight off a psionic possession from Karma, but the Silver Samurai's sudden appearance startled her giving Karma full control. The Samurai defeated Karma by knocking Viper unconscious and teleported her to safety.

Team America were soon reunited with Professor Xavier, while the New Mutants regrouped. Karma teased Psyche about her "very becoming" green outfit, and after blushing Psyche amazed at how quickly Wolfsbane's wounds were healing. Psyche and Karma argued about Karma's agreement with her uncle, but they were interrupted by the Professor's telepathic call. He was angry that they didn't wait for him, but Karma replied that she had tried to contact him and he failed to respond. Although the Professor agreed and was glad that they were safe, Karma was contacted by the mysterious malevolent psychic being. It claimed that it had come for her body & soul. She screamed in terror and the others went to her aid.

From outside Viper's facility the Silver Samurai activated a self-destruct which destroyed the whole base. The Professor cried out as he experienced the pain and terror before his mind-link with the New Mutants was once again severed.

Karma is missing in action! The New Mutants are invited on an expedition by Sunspot's mother to cheer up, but after she is kidnapped by the Hellfire Club, it is up to the team to save her!

Sunspot stood on the rocky seashore recalling the events of the last few days. Immediately after the explosion of Viper's headquarters he had used his mutant super strength to destroy falling debris. He saved himself & Cannonball, but he was unable to save Karma. The other three New Mutants met him and asked him to rejoin them back on drier land. As they walked they discussed the possibility of finding Karma, or whether she truly was dead. When they reached Professor Xavier and three of his X-Men the conversation continued with little success.

The Professor then surprised Sunspot with a visit from his mother. Mrs. DaCosta invited the New Mutants to accompany her on her latest archaeological dig in the Amazon. Sunspot grew angry at the Professor who suggested that they should leave. He wanted to stay and search for Karma, but the other New Mutants convinced him to leave the search for the Professor. Meanwhile the Professor admitted to Colossus, Storm & Nightcrawler that he believed that Karma was alive and in the hands of a malevolent being.

In Rio De Janeiro the New Mutants were invited into the DaCosta family home. However, the butler was a snob and Sunspot's parents began to quarrel at the dinner table. Later Mrs. DaCosta chaperoned the New Mutants during a street carnival and a pretty girl suddenly kissed Cannonball. After some teasing they all went to try on carnival costumes, but the fun soon ended when Mrs. DaCosta was kidnapped by Hellfire Club goons. The kids gave chase but where thwarted by Mr. T look-a-like, Axe. Wolfsbane ran off to track the kidnappers' car and used her psi-link with Psyche to bring the others to her location.

At night the New Mutants regrouped and planned their attack on the old haunted mansion that Mrs. DaCosta was being held in. Wolfsbane's pained howl combined with psychic nightmares courtesy of Psyche scared the Hellfire Club's hired henchman enough for the girls to knock them out. Cannonball then flew Mrs. DaCosta out of harms way while Sunspot fought Axe. Heavy blows were exchanged until Sunspot stood victorious.

The next day the New Mutants discussed the possibility that there might be other attempts on Mrs. DaCosta's life. They boarded the private jet and began their journey to the Amazon. Meanwhile both Mr. DaCosta and Sebastian Shaw observed the plane's take-off as they discussed Emmanuel DaCosta's plans to prevent his wife from reaching the dig in the Madeira in order for his latest business opportunity.

The New Mutants were playing, with the Amazonian forest as a substitute Danger Room. Psyche used her power to convince Wolfsbane that she was chilling out in a miniature snowstorm, and Cannonball accidentally slammed into an ancient tree. They briefly contacted Professor Xavier, but there was no news about Karma and the Professor returned to training Team America.

The kids decided to return to the boat they'd been travelling on, but Psyche decided to swim across despite Cannonball & Sunspot's protests. On the boat Castro poured a bucket of sludge into the water to stir up the piranhas into a feeding frenzy. She temporarily distracted the shoal of carnivorous fish with a nightmare until Cannonball flew across the river, tearing her out of the water, over the boat and crashing into the opposite shore. There a small group of Amazonian native girls briefly attacked them, but Psyche fought them off. However, Cannonball had caught one around the waist and they took her on the boat for questioning. Back on the boat Castro and the captain eased a small revolt about carrying dangerous children. Mrs. DaCosta inspected the Amazonian girl's belongings which originated various countries in South America, and included a modern knife.

Meanwhile back in Rio De Janeiro Emmanuel DaCosta was unimpressed with Castro's report and Sebastian Shaw's offer to join the Inner Circle of the Hellfire Club. They discussed the business plans that Mr. DaCosta had for the Madeira before he invited a group of prostitutes in for some gentlemen's entertainment.

Back on the river the captain pointed out the Madeira mountains that were only a day's journey away. He explained that their route was crucial as the wrong turning down the river would lead to dangerous rapids. Wolfsbane ventured below deck where she caught Castro beating the Amazonian girl. She transformed into a wolf and he ran away in terror. Despite the lack of English communication between them the girls exchanged names as Wolfsbane untied the ropes; the girl called her "Rain" and called herself Amara. Wolfsbane then began to sob as she confessed that the terror on Carlos' face reminded her of the fear and hate she had faced in Scotland. When Wolfsbane went back on deck to inform the captain of Carlos' behavior, she found his dead body with an arrow in his back. Carlos then struck her from behind.

When Wolfsbane regained consciousness she found herself with the New Mutants, Amara and Mrs. DaCosta locked in a cabin. Sunspot broke through the door, but it was too late; Carlos had already murdered the captain and set course for the rapids. The boat plummeted down a waterfall and Cannonball flew Psyche to safety. However, Sunspot was unable to reach his mother and was only saved from drowning by Cannonball. Wolfsbane found a rock to cling on to, and held on to Amara's arm. As the water pulled Amara underwater it washed off her make-up. Instead of a dark tanned black-haired Amazonian native she was a white girl with blonde hair. Amara then gasped out some English to Wolfsbane, who was shocked and angry since it meant that Amara had understood her tearful confessions back in the cabin. Cannonball returned to carry the girls to dry land where Sunspot had to be restrained from running back into the water to find his mother. However the moment was interrupted as a troop of Roman soldiers arrested the New Mutants.

The New Mutants took a moment to take in the grandeur of the city of Nova Roma before them when the Roman troops forced through the secret tunnels in the mountainside. The young mutants were imprisoned and Wolfsbane stood guard while Amara told them her story. Amara Aquilla was the daughter of the first Senator of Nova Roma. She claimed that her father had sent her away from the city to save her from the absolute monarchy faction, an opposing political force in the city. She did not reveal her full story. Psyche's power accidentally triggered and showed them Amara's fear of being sacrificed by the Black Priestess, causing Cannonball to snap at Psyche. Sunspot was still angry from the loss of his mother and destroyed their cell door, but they were soon knocked unconscious again by a shower of curare dipped darts.

Across town in the Senatorial baths Senator Aquilla and Marcus Domitius Gallio were discussing the fate of the newly captured slaves. Senator Aquilla (Amara's father) stated that the boys were to be tested in the arena and then sold as slaves, and that the girls were to be sold at market as soon as possible. Gallio returned home angry & drunk telling his wife, Selene, that he had heard rumors of the young mutants' powers and intended to use them as his personal army. To ease her husband's troubles heart Selene led him down to the dungeon where she was holding Marcos prisoner. Marcos explained that his employer was an extremely wealthy man who would deal with Marcus Domitius and provide him with weapons. Selene was then ordered to release their new guest.

Meanwhile Wolfsbane and Psyche were enjoying all the luxurious attention in the House of Women. They were bathed, fed and given beautiful clothes. Amara warned not to drink the drugged wine, but they giggled as they became intoxicated. The slaves were instructed to drug them again at breakfast, so Amara attempted to wake the other girls in the night to flee. They refused to move, under the influence of the drugs in the wine so Amara fled on her own. However she experienced a dizzy spell, which she had apparently experienced many times before. She cried as she fell and was captured by Selene.

Underneath the circus Cannonball and Sunspot had been stripped and chained to the wall. Like the girls they had been drugged & therefore unable to use their mutant powers to escape. The older slaves taunted them about how they would enjoy being in the arena the next day. When they were forced to fight, the girls were in the audience and too intoxicated to realize what was going on. Although the boys summoned enough strength to use their mutant powers, they soon turned on each other after Cannonball accidentally collided with Sunspot. Wolfsbane was baying for blood until Sunspot caught Cannonball in a choke-hold. She cried out for her love, and transformed into her wolf form. The transformation activated the psionic rapport with Psyche who also snapped out of her intoxicated stupor. She in turn used her power to conjure up a specific image to shock the boys out of their brawl; that of Professor Xavier.

All four New Mutants were finally conscious and ready to defend themselves. The crowd accused them of being the Black Priestess' demons and the archers were ready to fire. However Marcus Domitius Gallio declared them saviors, and that Wolfsbane was a decedent of both Caesar and the She-Wolf who suckled Romulus & Remus. The New Mutants' lives had been spared and they were hailed as living heroes.

The New Mutants were given a parade through the city, with Wolfsbane as the center of attention. Sunspot worried about his mother but tried to hide his feelings when Psyche was looking. However Psyche could tell what he was thinking and worried about how much she cared. When they return to the palace with Gallio they wondered about the ethics of using the slaves who served them. Psyche and Cannonball feigned acceptance as they listened to Gallio's politically twisted stories about Senator Aquilla. Wolfsbane, however, was spirited and swore to do whatever she could to support Gallio.

When Gallio left, Wolfsbane and Cannonball argued about each others motives. She shouldn't have spoken for the whole team, but he was biased in favor of Senator Aquilla because of his attraction to Amara. Sunspot went for a walk to clear his head. He considered all the girls he had lost in recent months; Julianna, Karma and now his mother. Then he spied a red-haired woman being led through the streets and tried to run after her. Roman guards prevented him from leaving the palace, and he lost sight of the woman who could possibly have been his mother. He nearly used his super strength against the guards, but recalled Professor Xavier's teachings. Instead he powered down and returned inside the palace.

That night Psyche went out on reconnaissance, but was grabbed from behind. Meanwhile Wolfsbane poured out her guilty feelings to Sunspot, but the moment was interrupted by a mysterious gunman who shot Sunspot in the shoulder. Cannonball caught his friend as he fell out of the window, and Wolfsbane pounced on the gunman. Guards came rushing in to discover Marcos at her mercy, claiming that he had been sent by Senator Aquilla.

Elsewhere, Psyche woke up wearing only a strange bikini. She, Amara and another girl were lead through underground tunnels to Selene's burning pit where she used a mild form of telepathy to force girls to sacrifice themselves. She forced the third girl into the fiery pit and absorbed her life-force. Psyche's own training with Professor Xavier had given her enough psi-defences against Selene but she could not snap Amara out of the spell.

Back across town Cannonball and Sunspot led Gallio's guards in an attack against Senator Aquilla. Wolfsbane wanted to join in the fray, but Gallio wouldn't let her. Cannonball took Sunspot out of the fight to confide his suspicions about Gallio's stories and the way that everything was happening too quickly for them to question him. Senator Aquilla was soon confronted, but Cannonball's interference made sure that the Senator was not killed.

Back underground, Selene was preparing to sacrifice Amara. Psyche drew up enough strength to use her power & scare Selene's servants. She ran to attack Selene, but wasn't strong enough. Instead Selene took a special interest in Psyche and cut her cheek to draw blood thus creating a special bond between them. With all her attention on Psyche, Selene's grip on Amara loosened. She tried to attack, but Selene soon pushed her down into the molten lava.

The earth began to quake, and Amara rose from the fiery pit on a tower of molten lava. She had been transformed into a girl made of burning hot Magma!

Underground, below the hidden city of Nova Roma, Amara Aquilla had been reborn from the fiery pit of molten lava as a girl made of living magma.  She then threw down spurts of burning rock to destroy Selene, the Black Priestess, who had just tried to sacrifice her.  However Selene revealed her own mutant power; to manipulate inanimate matter.  The rocks were turns into giant monsters that crumbled on top of Amara burying her alive.  Selene's power had drained her own body and she'd been left with the appearance of an elderly woman.  She then demonstrated to Psyche how easily she could replace her youthful looks by sacrificing the lives of her servants.  As much as Psyche tried to resist, she also found the power of the sacrificed life-force intoxicating.  Although Selene promised to teach Psyche how to live forever, Psyche continued to defy Selene even more than she had previously defied professor Xavier's authority back at school.  

However Selene's attention was again distracted by Amara.  She had melted the rocks that previously buried her and began to flood the cavern with molten rock.  Psyche, wearing only the strange bikini that she had woken up in, began to climb the hot rock cliffside to escape the burning magma.  Her power reacted with Amara, showing her fear of accidentally killing her friend.  With both girls distracted Selene caught & bound Amara and drained her of her life-force.  Amara's body returned to normal and Psyche caught her friend believing that she was dead.  Again Selene promised Psyche that she would teach her the same dark spells.
Meanwhile, Gallio oversaw the enslavement of Senator Aquilla and his staff.  Gallio did not count on the fact that Sunspot understood Latin & therefore knew what he was plotting.  Amongst the new slaves Sunspot saw the red-haired woman from the day before.  He slipped away from the others and took a soldier's helmet & cape.  Undetected, he moved through the dungeon and overheard Castro threatening has mother.  He then over-powered Castro, freed his mother (who had been rescued from the river by other Nova Roma girls disguised as natives) and they began to plot.

Upstairs Gallio summoned Senator Aquilla.  Cannonball & Wolfsbane were shocked to see the physical marks of torture on his fat body.  Suddenly the room split open and Amara's molten magma body appeared.  She begged for her father's help, but he told her to flee.  The chaos inside the room was matched by the chaos outside; Sunspot's mother had brought the Amazonian Nova Roma girls back to the city to lead a revolt against Gallio.  Wolfsbane sprang to protect Senator Aquilla while he was still bound-up, and Cannonball & Sunspot made short work of Gallio's men. Gallio hit Wolfsbane across the back of the head while she was untying Senator Aquilla's ropes.  Aquilla and Gallio then fought.  Although Gallio was taller, stronger and more refreshed, it was Senator Aquilla who succeeded.  

With Gallio dead Amara lead the New Mutants back underground to save Psyche.  However the ground soon coccooned them.  Cannonball and Amara used their powers to escape, but Sunspot's solar-powered strength had drained away.    Cannonball broke his friend free and flew them up to where Selene was holding Psyche.  She had dressed Psyche in a long-sleeved low-cut dress to match her own, and had her strapped to a stone tablet.  Selene's attention was drawn by the on-coming New Mutants.  Although she successfully blasted them back repeatedly, Psyche was able to catch her unaware by showing her a nightmare vision of death.  Cannonball broke through the cavern ceiling revealing the daylight above.  Sunspot was repowered and Amara blasted open a deep pit in the floor.  Sunspot used his strength to hurl Selene down into the lava filled pit below and covered her in a shower of rocks.  Cannonball objected to murder, but Sunspot believed that it would take more than that to kill Selene.

Note: This issue came out during Assistant Editors' Month.  It included a one-page back up strip offering readers a chance to win Marvel Universe Slipper Socks.

Back in Rio De Janeiro, Emmanuel DaCosta returned to his office to find his son sat at his desk.  Sunspot confronted his father about his involvement with Carlos and his plans for the area around Nova Roma.  They argued about money and family.  Ultimately Sunspot threatened his father with his mutant strength to leave that area of the Amazon alone.  Sunspot stormed out, recalling his departure from his mother.  Back upstairs his father made a telephone call to Sebastian Shaw accepting his offer to join the Hellfire Club's Inner Circle.
Down on the beach Psyche & Amara were enjoying the sunshine on the beach.  Amara began to daydream and soon recalled when her father sent her away to learn control of her powers.  She was brought back to the beach when a couple of muscle guys tried to chat them up.  One of them picked Amara off her beach towel and kissed her.  Enraged that she has been treated as a cheap harlot Amara accidentally unleashed a volcano on the beach.

In a nearby Catholic church Wolfsbane entered tentatively since she had been raised to consider Catholics as bad as the devil.  Once she was inside without any repercussion Wolfsbane sat down and began to pray.  She felt guilty for her actions, and for her attraction to Cannonball.  She also felt lonely since Cannonball was clearly attracted to Amara and Psyche seemed to spend all her free time with Amara.  However her prayers were interrupted by Cannonball, who explained what happened on the beach and that Amara had run away.  Wolfsbane was needed to track their missing friend.

On the busy Rio streets the cars sounded their horns in anger at Amara as she wandered into the road with sunstroke.  The blinding light and loud noises scared her.  A police man guided her to the side of the road, but then accused her of being a tourist on drugs.  When he grabbed her by the wrist it scared her, causing another unexpected volcano in the street.

The other New Mutants followed Wolfsbane as she tracked Amara.  Wolfsbane snapped at Cannonball for treating her like his pet when he fussed her hair.  She then led them down many side streets and alleys until Wolfsbane confirmed that Amara's scent was muddled by many others.  Amara had wandered down there in a confused state.  She had turned into her molten Magma state with the desire to destroy the world, but collapsed in despair at her own madness.  Lying unconscious in her bathing suit on the cold concrete back-street floor, she had been picked up by local children who took her home.  The New Mutants tracked them down and frightened the children when they burst into the shack.  After rushed apologies they checked on Amara's fever, and sent Cannonball & Sunspot out to find ice.  While searching the city's skyline they could see a new volcano bubbling underwater in the bay. 

Cannonball flew through the air carrying Sunspot who in turn was carrying a truck full of ice.  Inside the poor shack which was covered in ice, Amara slowly regained consciouness.  Sunspot promised to compensate the locals for any damage to their home, Amara finally accepted the reasons why her father sent her away from Nova Roma, and Wolfsbane finally accepted Amara as a new friend.


Note:  Although she has joined the others as their friend, Amara was not officially a member of the New Mutants. 

Additional:  The events of Marvel Team-Up Annual #6 featuring Spider-Man, Cloack & Dagger and the New Mutants take place between the end of this issue and the start of New Mutants #13.

The New Mutants introduced Amara to Professor Xavier.  Still wheelchair bound, the Professor gave Amara a quick tour of the mansion.  She was concerned that her thoughts were not her own when she discovered that her bedroom in Nova Roma had been completeld reproduced in New York due to the Professor's telepathic probing.  Left alone to her thoughts, Amara like a savage compared to modern society and accidentally triggered a minor earthquake. 

"Do you believe in Magik?" You will -- when you see Illyana in action! That's right -- this story picks up where the Magik limited series left off, and when Colossus's kid sister battles the evil S'ym, the excitement never lets up! Oh, yeah, the New Mutants are in this issue too!

Note: This story picks up immediately after Magik #4

Illyana Rasputin has returned from Limbo as a young teenager. Yet, despite the snow and joy the New Mutants get out of playing in it, she holds herself apart and contemplates the huge weight on her shoulders. She especially notes the Beatrice Medallion and how it only needs two more blood stones to become complete. She feels that she can’t trust anyone with her evil secret.

Professor Xavier looks on and is troubled that he hasn’t been able to read Illyana’s mind since she returned from Limbo. The New Mutants see the look of concern on his face and wonder if it isn’t due to sadness at his girlfriend Lilandra’s departure from the school. They plan a party to cheer him up and head to town to get supplies. Illyana joins them and they convince Stevie Hunter to drive.

In their absence, the demon S’ym appears before Xavier. The Professor mounts a weak defense but is swiftly overpowered. S’ym settles in to wait for Illyana, determined to drag her back to Belasco, who wants her as his heir.

The New Mutants return from the mall, but the school seems too quiet. Illyana volunteers to see what the Professor is up to, since he can’t read her mind and spoil the party. She stumbles onto S’ym and fails to fight back, as she is too traumatized at seeing the demon that terrorized her in Limbo. She has the resolve, however, to teleport the New Mutant team into the school via Limbo. The boys and Rahne try to fight S’ym one-on-one and fail. Dani steps in and conjures up S’ym’s latent fears, which turns out to be Belasco and Illyana as the Darkchylde. S’ym is only briefly scared, but it is enough for Stevie to carry Illyana away. S’ym quickly finds them but Illyana comes to and confronts her tormentor with the Soulsword. S’ym trembles and swears allegiance to Illyana. She banishes him to Limbo and then wipes Stevie’s mind, as she doesn’t want anyone to know of her power.

That evening, the party for the Professor is in full swing. The X-Men appear and find Stevie’s car and a mountain in the school (all part of the fight with S’ym). They join the party. Illyana is still ill at ease until the Professor stands up and asks her to dance. Xavier tells her that his recovery shows "there's hope for us all" and she realizes that he knows about her.

Outside the party, Doug Ramsey takes Kitty Pryde aside and tells her that he has been accepted to the Massachusetts Academy and wants her to accompany him on a visit. Kitty doesn’t know how to tell him how dangerous that could be.

Note: This follows events in Uncanny #180.

Illyana had waited till the early hours of the morning to use her spells undisturbed. She sent her Astral form to Massachusetts where she found Kitty Pryde had been bound powerless to a chair by the White Queen. The White Queen tormented Kitty, showing her Doug Ramsey's telepathically induced fantasy of him dancing with and kissing Kitty. Kitty remained defiant, and the White Queen threatened to destroy her mind just as Mastermind her previously done to her. As they were arguing about Kitty's potential to join the Hellfire Club, she spotted Illyana's astral form. Somehow the White Queen was also able to see Illyana, and used a mind-blast to attack her.

Back at the mansion the New Mutants were woken by Illyana's screams. They ran to her aid, but were forced to fight off a hoard of demons. The demons all vanished into smoke whenever they were caught, and Psyche used her power to conjure up the image of Illyana as an adult Darkchilde to scare them away. The experience left Psyche drained and she hallucinated that the adult Darkchilde carried her back to bed.

Illyana explained to the New Mutants that she was also a demon sorceress and how she had discovered that both Kitty & Doug were being held against their will in Massachusetts. The New Mutants were willing to help, but had been left strict instructions to call the Avengers of Fantastic Four in an emergency. However, both Roberta the Rceptionist and Jarvis informed Sunspot that their teams were away on missions. As the X-Men were also missing in action (see the Secret Wars mini series), so the New Mutants agreed to help. None of them could drive and Cannonball couldn't carry the whole team all of the way, so they used Sunspot's money to buy bus tickets to Massachusetts.

At the bus station both Sunspot and Wolfsbane fell into a trance, and went to the observation deck staring out at The Holy Ghost Church, were Cloak & Dagger would go to rest. On the bus, Illyana was aware of how Wolfsbane continued to stare at her, while Cannonball & Psyche worried for Sunspot & Wolfsbane. They recollected the events of Marvel Team-Up Annual # 6, and Psyche revealed that she was worried how a bunch of kids would be able to take on the foes of the X-Men. She had attempted to programme the Danger Room for a Hellfire Club scenario, but it refused to let her execute such a high-level sequence. While Sunspot and Magma took in the sights along their journey, Cannonball went to talk to Wolfsbane. She couldn't accept Illyana because she was a witch, which went against her religious teachings. Cannonball disputed her beliefs with his own Christian upbringing. They compared childhoods, and Wolfsbane told him about how her mother had died in childbirth. He consoled her saying that her mother would have loved her, and that she was welcome to join him on a visit back home to Kentucky.

When they arrived in Massachusetts, Magma used her power to burn a tunnel into the underground complex at the Academy. The New Mutants soon found the spot where Illyana had seen Kitty and rushed to her aid. However, the Kitty Prryde they saw tied to the chair was merely a hologram. In a flash of blinding lights, the White Queen appeared before them all with a subservient Kitty Pryde. She announced that they would all belong heart & soul to the Hellfire Club.

 
While visiting Frost's school, the New Mutants find themselves facing a new super-powered team of mutants!  Are they villains -- or are they heroes?  One thing's for certain-- they're not your typical bunch of preppies! 
 
 The New Mutants are attacked by Hellfire Club goons, but Magma causes an earthquake and Illyana teleports them away to a storeroom. They capture and interrogate two goons, Dani using her power to manifest their greatest fear and then questioning the morality of doing so. Amara and Sam knock out the electricity. Roberto and Rahne are downed by Thunderbird and Roulette; Illyana and Dani are attacked by Catseye and Tarot. Then Sam and Amara are attacked by Empath and Jetstream and defeat them. This is the introduction of the Hellions.

Inside the White Queen’s version of the Danger Room, Jetstream attacks Empath, blaming him for their recent loss (last issue). Empath seizes control of Jetstream’s emotions until the White Queen arrives, rebukes him, and orders Catseye to assume her human form. Empath reluctantly apologizes to Jetstream, and Tarot gasps as the Lovers card appears in her deck.

Meanwhile, Kitty and the New Mutants are locked in a room that suppresses their powers. While working on him, she heatedly denies ever standing beside the White Queen -- which Emma Frost had psychically projected to the New Mutants -- and warns that the Hellfire Club intends to convert them into its private army.

Illyana and Dani lie unconscious in Limbo. Dani recovers first and drives off a group of demons with an image of S’ym, only for S’ym himself to appear and carries them off. Illyana awakens in a flowing green dress, while Psyche finds herself in a revealing outfit of animal hide. After Moonstar reassures Illyana of her trust, the two teleport back to the Massachusetts Academy.

The two quickly duck into an office as both the Hellions and the New Mutants walk past -- laughing, relaxed, and all wearing Hellions uniforms. A newspaper reveals they have arrived one year in the future. Before they can process Illyana’s time-jump, the White Queen enters, and they teleport away again, returning a week after their original arrival. Dani still can’t reach Professor Xavier telepathically or contact the X-Men by phone.

They soon locate and awaken their teammates, but the reunion is cut short when the Hellions arrive, alerted by the phone’s silent alarm. Moonstar can’t summon her spirit forms, and Cannonball notes that the inhibitor field also affects the Hellions. The Hellions off the New Mutants a deal: their freedom if Cannonball can defeat Jetstream in a duel.

In the training room, Thunderbird activates the assault course. Cannonball dodges projectiles and uses a maneuver Nightcrawler taught him to regain altitude, while Jetstream breaks free of mechanical restraints and surges ahead. After narrowly avoiding a crushing machine -- his blast field destroying it -- Cannonball executes the “Magnum maneuver,” swinging from gymnastic hoops to kick Jetstream. They crash to the ground together, Cannonball landing on top.

Before they can argue over the outcome, Sebastian Shaw and the White Queen appear. Cannonball charges and is effortlessly swatted aside. Dani and Sunspot attack next, but the White Queen forces Dani to face an image of the Demon Bear, and Shaw defeats Sunspot just as easily. Kitty phases into the control systems, causing them to short-circuit and send the room into chaos. Everyone flees. Wolfsbane and Catseye drag Sunspot to safety, and Wolfsbane urges Catseye to join them. Catseye refuses, asking Wolfsbane to stay instead. They part sadly, and Illyana teleports the New Mutants back to their empty mansion.

Cannonball reflects on how fortunate they are to have escaped the Hellfire Club. As they turn toward the mansion, a dark, spectral figure approaches Psyche, warning that a deadly force is coming for her.

Psyche hid underneath the covers, scared by recurring nightmares of a demonic bear.

An unseen person had flashback memories of an alternative future. In the timeline known as Days of Future Past (Earth-811) Xavier's school came under attack. A young red-haired girl managed to create a telekinetic shield to protect herself as she ran through the building. She found Professor Xavier in his wheelchair, who commanded her to go downstairs and hide in the Danger Room where she would be safe. However, before she was able to do anything, he used the curtains to pull himself up to his feet and stood in the window. As he called for a ceasefire, Professor Xavier was immediately shot dead and fell back in his wheelchair. The young girl crouched beside the reclined body of her dead mentor.

Back in the present (of Earth-616) Rachel Summers stood looking at the school where she had grown up. She thought about how she had been taken away after the Professor's death, given drugs to dampen her psionic powers and was later tortured. She considered how her past hadn't happened yet, and that she hadn't even been born in this reality. Her thoughts were interrupted by a passing police car and she plucked up the courage to walk up the mansion's driveway.

Meanwhile, the New Mutants were training underneath the mansion. Down in the Danger Room, Cannonball, Magma, and Sunspot were destroying a series of robotic foes. Sunspot smashed them, Cannonball flew through them, and Magma melted them. As one robot dropped Magma, Cannonball caught her in mid-air. Magik and Psyche watched from the observation room, and secretly discussed Cannonball's obvious unrequited crush on Magma and how it must have been difficult for her to adjust to twentieth century life. While Lockheed played in Magik's hair, the girls discussed recent events in Massachusetts. Psyche kept secret her recurring nightmares of the demonic bear, but they were interrupted by the doorbell. Magik went to the door, shooing Lockheed out of sight. There, Rachel was shocked as she was greeted by Magik. Although Magik asked if she could take a message, Rachel merely asked her what her name was. Rachel was obviously shocked to discover that she really was Magik. She couldn't understand how Colossus' little sister could be so old, and ran away without revealing her own identity.

Across the galaxy, a strange metallic being regained consciousness on a barren planet. He considered how much time he had, but was interrupted by the growing light of a nearby sun. The blinding light grew to reveal another metallic entity, much larger than himself. The larger being announced to his son that he would make his death quick and painless. However, the younger alien soon fled into the depths of space. His father merely smiled as he relished in his hunt.

Back on Earth, Psyche used a bow an arrow to defeat a bear in the snow. Magik turned off the Danger Room's simulated environment leaving Psyche slouched against the wall. Magik quizzed her friend about why all her Danger Room sessions of the last week had been against bears, but she redirected the conversation and they both headed back upstairs. In the dark gloom of the Danger Room, a mysterious fanged creature began to growl.

Later, Psyche changed into her civilian clothes and looked out of the window into the snowy night. She thought about telling her friends, and then considered how she had lost her entire family. She confronted herself in the mirror and decorated herself in war paint. Armed with a bow and arrows she stepped out into the snow and demanded the bear that had been stalking her mind to show itself.

In the snow storm, the Demon Bear towered above Psyche. She summoned an image of it's worst fear and was surprised to see an image of herself. The beast swiped at the illusion, and she fired a killing shot to it's neck. However, the bear merely swatted her bow away and picked her up in it's gigantic paws. Face to face with the creature, Psyche drove an arrow through the Demon Bear's upper jaw and through the bridge of it's nose. The pain caused the bear to drop her, and quickly Psyche found her bow again. She fired another arrow into the it's mouth, and the Demon Bear collapsed on the snow covered floor. Relieved that she had finally killed the monster that had murdered her parents, Psyche approached the dead bear. However, when she was close it opened it's eyes and attacked.

Inside the mansion, Wolfsbane woke screaming for Cannonball and the others. Although she had been sleeping in her human state, her psychic link with Psyche had connected and she sense her friend's pain. Transforming into a wolf she led the others through the snow. However, they had arrived too late, and found Psyche's battered and bloody body abandoned in the snow.

Note: This is the first appearance of Warlock, but he is not named till later issues.

The emergency services rushed Psyche to hospital. They cut off her jacket, and were surprised at both the war paint on her face and the extent of her injuries. As the hospital staff rushed her into the operating theatre Tom Corsi, a local police officer, introduced himself to the New Mutants. Magik enquired if Psyche would be okay, and he made some enquiries for them. Officer Corsi was visibly shocked when he was told that she had been attacked by a bear, since there were no bears in Westchester. In his disbelief he asked if it was a joke, which fueled Sunspot's temper. Nurse Friedlander arrived and diffused the situation. She asked them to keep the noize down while Psyche was valiantly fighting for her life. The remaining New Mutants looked concerned as they realised how powerless they were to help. Magik informed the nurse that Psyche's family had died and that her legal guardian (Professor Xavier) was still in Massachusetts. Officer Corsi offered to get word through to the professor using the State Police Force's contacts, while Nurse Friedlander went to fetch pillows and blankets for the New Mutants.

Once they were alone, Cannonball revealed his theory to the rest of the team. He suspected that the bear was spiritual in nature and they all berated themselves for not believing in Psyche's worries about the monster. He then brought out their New Mutants uniforms, which they then changed into. Wolfsbane found Psyche's belt, which she asked if she could wear to be close to her friend. Cannonball then asked Wolfsbane to shift into her transitional form to create a telepathic link with Psyche. However, her wolf form was larger and more fierce than ever before.

Psyche's thoughts were jumbled and confusing as she had been anaesthetised. Wolfsbane pushed harder to understand, but regaining consciousness caused Psyche even greater pain. Wolfsbane was filled with guilt and broke off the connection. She had gained enough information to know that the bear was afraid of Psyche.

Meanwhile, the Starjammers monitored a human-sized entity that was speeding through space at ultra light velocities. Binary observed that it was headed in their direction and had enough energy to match the Starjammer's. Waldo calculated that it's trajectory was Earth, and Corsair ranted that they wouldn't be able to reach Earth in time to save their friends & family if the entity was violent.

Back on Earth, Wolfsbane was outside the operating room in her transitional form. Officer Corsi spotted her and was ready to shoot. She fled and he chased her around the corner, where he found her in her human form. He was so shaken and scared at how he had nearly shot her that he didn't notice her yellow uniform underneath her long white fur coat. Officer Corsi led Wolfsbane back to the others and then wandered over to the nurses station. There he spoke to Nurse Sharon Friedlander and admitted that he was feeling jumpy. He asked about Psyche's condition, to which she said that it was a good sign that Psyche was holding her own. They began to discuss shift-patterns and casually flirted when a strange growling sound interrupted them. Bathed in blood red, the Demon Bear attacked Officer Corsi & Nurse Friedlander.

The screams and gun shots were heard by the sleeping New Mutants. They ran into the corridor and found blood by the nurses' station. Wolfsbane picked up the same stench that surrounded Psyche's battered body after the attack, and Magma observed that aside from the operating theatre the building was deserted. Sunspot prayed for Psyche to live, as he could not bear to lose her as he had lost Juliana, while Magik constructed magical wards around the operating theatre. The effort caused Magik to collapse and Sunspot caught her, but the Demon Bear appeared out of the shadows. Sunspot lurched at the monster, but it merely swatted him away with it's giant paw. It then swiped at Magik, but a strange silver armour appeared on her arm where the bear had clawed at her. She then summoned her Soulsword and plunged into the Demon Bear's belly. The monster screamed and disappeared.

The lights went out by the time Cannonball & Wolfsbane arrived. The emergency generator quickly kicked in, allowing the surgeons to continue their life saving work. Wolfsbane, Magma and Magik travelled down into the generator room to protect the power source, but Magik soon cried out in pain. The Demon Bear had attacked her magical wards outside the operating theatre and the feedback was effecting her. Suddenly the bear appeared along with Sunspot and Cannonball attacking it. It had teleported them all down into the generator room. Magma's hot flame hurt the creature, and it again attacked Magik causing more Eldritch Armour to appear across her back. She cried out for the others to drive the demon bear away from the generator as her wards were weakening. Magik went to attack it with her Soulsword, but was blocked by Wolfsbane's attack. The Demon Bear then reared up, it's eyes swirled and in an instant it teleported itself and the New Mutants into the desert plains. Floating above the Demon Bear were Officer Corsi & Nurse Friedlander as it's hostages, and a bubble that acted as a window overlooking the operating table.

The New Mutants had been transported to the spiritual home of the Demon Bear. The landscape resembled the plains near where Psyche had grown up. High above the beast floated a bubble through which Psyche's operation could be seen, and the unconscious bodies of Nurse Friedlander and Officer Corsi as the bear's hostages. Immediately the bear plunged it's long claws into the hostages. However, as they did not have mystical armour to protect them like Magik did, they were transformed into native American zombies.

The battle begun with Cannonball careering into the bear itself, and Magik attempting to bind the demonised Nurse Friedlander and Officer Corsi. The Demon Bear swatted Cannonball away. Spots of dark shadow spread across the landscape as the bear's power began to grow. Nurse Friedlander fired bolts of black lightning at Sunspot, while the Demon Bear ripped a hole into the operator theatre. One of the surgeons saw the strange claws and the desert landscape for an instant, but soon returned to his life-saving work.

Magik knew that if she used her spells to attack the bear then her wards around the operating theatre would weaken. She realised that it's power was growing everytime they physically attacked it. However, the Demon Bear's zombified servants were successfully distracting the New Mutants. Sunspot tried to stop Magma from permanently hurting Officer Corsi. However, he was soon caught in a lasso around the waist, thrown away by Officer Corsi and landed in one of the demon bear's magical night spots where Nurse Friedlander attacked him. Sunspot's powers weakened quicker than any normal nighttime, and Wolfsbane jumped to his defence. Magma began to attack Nurse Friedlander and commanded Wolfsbane to shift into something more human so she could drag Sunspot back into the sunlight.

However, when her back was turned then Demon Bear plunged it's claws into Magma. The effect was similar to that on Officer Corsi & Nurse Friedlander. Magma became a monstrous version of herself. Magik drew out her Soulsword and attacked the Demon Bear with it. Once the bear had been driven back, Magik then drove her Soulsword into Magma. Cannonball cried out and attacked Magik. He yelled that he should never have trusted her, as he dragged her along the ground. When he released Magik, her entire arm was covered in the mystical armour. Magma then jumped on Cannonball, calling him a 'Barbarian fool'. She had been cured by Magik's Soulsword. The Demon Bear soared in triumph as it watched the New Mutants fight amongst themselves.

The majority of the landscape was soon covered in the Demon Bear's night. Only a few patches of sunlight burst through the dark night sky. Magik remembered that the Demon Bear was afraid of Psyche, and demanded that Wolfsbane use her telepathic connection with Psyche to probe for more information. The bear continued to attack the bubble, trying to break in to the operating theatre. The attack caused Magik to fall in pain, so Magma created a volcano to protect Magik from Officer Corsi's attack. Sunspot & Cannonball were then distracted by Nurse Frielander. So when Wolfsbane transformed back into a girl and announced that she had the answer, Officer Corsi had snuck up behind her and knocked her unconscious. Magik then leapt to Wolfsbane's defence and drove the evil spirit out of Officer Corsi with her Soulsword. Magik then commanded Magma to create a fiery diversion. While the bear lurched in pain from Magma's attack, Cannonball carried Magik up to the bear's head where she promptly cut it down the centre with her Soulsword.

The Demon Bear was split into two halves. As the light slowly dispersed, two people walked down into the light.

The New Mutants were then transported back to the corridor outside the operating theatre. There Wolfsbane gasped as she saw that Nurse Friedlander and Officer Corsi were "still Red Indians". The man who had descended from the Demon Bear informed them that although the evil had been driven out of their bodies, they could not undo the bear's original transformation enchantment. Cannonball politely enquired to who the gentleman was, and he answered that he was the bear until he had been freed. Just then a surgeon appeared to silence all the ruckus. Psyche's father introduced himself and his wife as William and Peg Lonestar, and they enquired about their daughter's health. The surgeon gravely answered that Psyche was likely to be paralysed for the rest of her life. Just as the New Mutants began to despair, the Professor telepathically told them not to worry.

Psyche was transferred back to the mansion, were the Morlock's Healer had exhausted his powers on her. When she woke up, Storm re-assured her that she would make a full recovery in time. Psyche was then shocked by the arrival of her parents. They explained how they had been transformed into the Demon Bear, but were not able to track Psyche while her grandfather was still alive. After Black Eagle had been murdered by the Hellfire Club's goons the bear returned to their home, and began to track Psyche to New York. Unfortunately nobody had an answer as to why any of this had to happen, or who caused it. Magik revealed that there were no more spells remaining on Tom Corsi or Sharon Friedlander and Professor Xavier thought it would be another problem for Doctor Strange to handle. Professor Xavier then consoled his students by telling them how proud he was of what they had achieved that night.

Girls from the local area were scared as they approached Xavier's School for the Gifted, but they soon enjoyed themselves in a giant girl's only slumber party in the attic. Pop corn and pillows were thrown about while others danced and watched music videos; all in celebration of Psyche's successful recuperation. Psyche was still wheelchair bound and wanted to dance, but Magik convinced her to relax. Meanwhile the local girls were still worried about the stories they'd heard about strange goings on at the school, unaware of Lockheed watching them from just outside the skylight.

Up in space, Mageto's Asteroid M came under attack. He tried to use his magneto powers to halt the intruder, but his asteroid was in the direct path of the flying alien the Starjammers' had previously detected.In a blinding light, the asteroid was annihilated by the young alien named Warlock, as he falls to Earth.

Back in the attic, Magma tried to converse with the local girls about who various pop stars were. She became upset over the comments one of the girls made about her lack of knowledge, and her anger stirs up a minor earthquake. Magma soon regained her composure after a quick apology and the girls suddenly paid attention to her genuine gold earrings & silk robe. Wolfsbane was sitting away from everyone else when they suddenly pounced on her. The make-over attack scared her, and she began to transform into her transitional state and was calmed by a telepathic nudge from Psyche. Magik and the other girls were then let loose on Wolfsbane's appearance.

Outside in the mansion's grounds both Sunspot & Cannonball swap stories about baseball and their father's. When Cannonball knocked on the door he was amazed to be greeted by a pretty red-haired girl. However, his innocent mistake enraged Wolfsbane who transformed into a werewolf in a pretty dress, and punched him in the stomach. Inside, Psyche teased Wolfsbane saying how Cannonball genuinely thought she was a pretty girl. Back upstairs in the attic the girls began to hold a seance. Lockheed had decided to join in the fun and perched on Magik's head, which she claimed was an ornate hat.

Back outside Cannonball had been for a dip in the lake when he thought he saw a meteor. The 'meteor' changed it's course and splashed down in the lake. Realising that regular meteors don't change direction, Cannonball blasted down into the water to collect the 'meteor'. On dry ground Sunspot used his super strength to carry the object into the mansion.

Once he regained consciousness Warlock searched for the closest power outlet. Plugging himself into an electrical socket he was unable to control the heavy influx of power and accidentally knocked out all the lights inside the mansion. Up in the attic Wolfsbane was worried about being part of a seance, but was relieved when Psyche used her power to conjure the image of a sacred djinn. However, the New Mutants knew that something was amiss when Lockheed jumped up and flew away. He flew down into the kitchen where he came across Warlock. The new alien had already absorbed the life energy of a pot plant, and mistook the alien dragon for another snack. Lockheed protected himself by breathing fire on Warlock. The screams were heard by the girls in the attic and both Cannonball & Sunspot in their bedrooms. Everyone rushed to see what the commotion was, but Magik was first to arrive. She teleported a demon from Limbo into the kitchen, but Warlock transformed the demon into circuitry and then absorbed it's lifeforce. Magik had also developed a small webbing of the circuitry over her hand, but her Eldritch Armour protected her. When Warlock stepped closer, Magik grabbed Lockheed and teleported them both out of the way (see New Mutants issue #63).

Wolfsbane encountered Sunspot & Cannonball, who told her about the 'meteor' they left downstairs. She informed Psyche through their telepathic rapport, and then conveyed Psyche's anger and instructions to Cannonball. They were to find the alien before any of the girls from the party discovered their true identities. Magma blasted Warlock with molten rock, and Cannonball blasted him through the wall back outside. Outside, Magma then melted the rocks underneath Warlock's feet, but he tried to retaliate sending tentacles through the ground to grab her. However, Sunspot grabbed the tentacle and ripped it in two. Warlock's scream shook the ground, but thankfully wasn't heard over the music in the attic.

Inside the mansion, Psyche pushed herself to walk but the pain caused her to collapse just as Warlock approached. Warlock's tendrils reached out to Psyche, and since the others couldn't reach her in time she conjured up an image of what he was scared of the most; his father Magus. The shock caused Warlock to fall over the balcony. Wolfsbane tried to comfort Psyche while in her transitional form, and managed to shift into full wolf before a couple of girls spotted her. They were impressed that Psyche had a fully trained wolf, but then spotted Cannonball's half-naked body flying passed the window. Running to see more of him, they screamed as they run into the frozen remnants of Magik's demon. Cannonball appeared, carrying Magma's unconscious body. He snapped at the girls saying it was only a statue and they shouldn't go wandering around in the dark as hey'd only hurt themselves like Magma had done. The girls left to go back to the party insulting Cannonball all the way back upstairs.

The New Mutants bounced ideas off each other. Cannonball and Psyche (who was still up in the attic, and communicated through her telepathic link with Wolfsbane) agreed that they didn't think that Warlock intended any harm; that he was scared & hungry in an alien environment. Cannonball flew off to get their friend Doug Ramsey, because they knew was a mutant with a talent for languages.

Down in the Danger Room, Warlock tried to interface with the computers but collapsed. Sunspot & Wolfsbane tried to understand what he was doing, but were interrupted by Doug's arrival. Doug wasn't pleased to be woken in the middle of the night be a friend who informed him of his mutant powers. He hid his surprise of the alien being and how Wolfsbane was really a werewolf, and began to use the Danger Room's control console to communicate with Warlock. He created images of trees, planes, people and other aspects of life on Earth. Warlock in turn reached up into the control booth to show them holograms of his own upbringing. A nursery of technarchy children who, once 'born', were forced to fight their 'fathers' to the death. However, instead of facing Magus, Warlock chose to run away. Doug understood that Warlock was 'at the end of his rope', but it was Wolfsbane who finally reached out to him.

Warlock touched her semi-furry hand without transforming her into circuitry. His hand then transformed into a giant electrical plug, and Wolfsbane guided it into the wall where he could recharge. The joy of receiving strength was overwhelming and Warlock spoke his thanks, which surprised Wolfsbane since they didn't realise he could talk.

Later that night, Professor Xavier returned home. As he strolled in he found a hole in the wall, and Magik suddenly appeared baying for blood and wearing a spacesuit (see New Mutants #63 for details of where she and Lockheed had been). Just as the Professor was about to lose his temper the New Mutants surprised him with Warlock's sudden appearance. Although he was annoyed that the students had taken it upon themselves to induct an alien being into his school, he could sense that all their intentions were pure. The Professor shook Warlock's hand and officially welcomed him to the school.

Additional: In the back of this issue were pin-up fact files drawn by Bill Sienkiewicz. One per New Mutants member. These feature Cannonball, Magik and Sunspot.

Note: The New Mutants Annual #1 takes place between the action of issues 21 & 22. It is not essential reading, but does explain the sudden appearance of Lila Cheney t-shirts in Cannonball's casual wear.

Nightcrawler demonstrated a mid-air manoeuvre to Cannonball with acrobatic ease.  Cannonball had begun to doubt himself, since he was the eldest of the New Mutants but had made the least progress controlling his powers.  After a pep talk from Nightcrawler, Wolfsbane entered the Danger Room and blew Cannonball a kiss for good luck.  He blasted into the air, turned off his blast field, spun in the air, but couldn't restart his blasting power in time.  Nightcrawler teleported between Cannonball and the wall, caught the New Mutant and threw him down into the safety net below.  He reassured Cannonball saying that he had also failed that same manoeuvre when he first tried it.

As Cannonball climbed back up the ladder to try it again, Nightcrawler changed the appearance of the Danger Room and Wolfsbane's outfit.  Suddenly she was a cute clown in a pink ruffed romper suit in the Big Top's spotlight.  A taller clown (Nightcrawler) invited her to waltz and she danced with a smile.  However, when Nightcrawler deactivated the illusion, Wolfsbane grew angry and upset that she'd been dancing with a demon and she ran off.

In one of the other underground gymnasiums, Sunspot and Colossus were sparring.  Sunspot grew tired of being spoken down to as a complete novice.  He was distracted by Wolfsbane running passed the door, and Colossus took the opportunity to knock him off his feet.  Sunspot pulled the mat out from underneath Colossus, and as the two tussled Colossus suddenly cried out in pain.  Sunspot's arms had grown elongated and sharp, but quickly returned to normal.

Wolfsbane had shifted into her wolf form and spied on Warlock as Professor Xavier and Moira MacTaggert studied his abilities further.  She then ran off to find Mirage (see Dani Moonstar), but was disappointed that she was on the telephone to her father and ran off again.

Meanwhile in New York City, Friedrich Von Roehm received an unexpected guest.  He threatened to have the woman in black arrested, but when he recognised her as Selene he pledged his undying loyalty to her.  He was dedicated to inducting her into the Hellfire Club.  While in the Hellfire Club itself, Emmanuel DaCosta was uncomfortable with the frilly and elaborate outfit that he was expected to wear.  His concerns were soon put at ease as Sebastian Shaw spoke of his induction into the Club

Back at the school Wolfsbane considered joining Sunspot and Magma as they splashed about in the pool outside.  She decided to finish writing her story instead.  It was a fairy tale heavilly inspired by Disney's Snow White and Sleeping Beauty.  A red-haired princess lived in the woods with the woodland creatures as her friends who helped with the day-to-day chores.  Suddenly her prince fell into the cottage, defeated by an evil sorceress.  The princess transformed into a wolf and ran into the city were she fought evil possessed taxi cabs to discover the sorceress' location.  The princess used her power to transform into a wolf in her fight against the sorceress and her black knight.  The black knight had a dark flowing cape, while the sorceress was pure white and carried a distinctive locket; they bore a striking fantasy resemblance to Cloak & Dagger.  The princess defeated her foes, showing them absolutely no mercy.

Later, Wolfsbane had fallen asleep while holding on to the same locket that the sorceress wore in her story.

Additional:  In the back of this issue were pin-up fact files drawn by Bill Sienkiewicz.  One per New Mutants member.  These featured Wolfsbane, Mirage and Magma.  This was the first time that Danielle Moonstar had been addressed as Mirage.

Emmanuel DaCosta and Selene were introduced to the Hellfire Club as initiates into the Inner Cicle. They drank from an ornate chalice to seal a bond of material & spiritual fealty. While Emmanual DaCosta received his cheers with some happiness & humility, Selene taunted Sebastian Shaw. He suspected her motives and swore to keep an eye on her thirst for power.

In Salem Centre, Colossus played a mean game of chess against Harry (the owner of Harry's Hideout). Just as he won his first game against Harry, his assistant Molly asked if Colossus could take Sunspot home. Although the premises was a bar, he hadn't ordered anything alcoholic so there was no reason to evict him from the premises. However, Sunspot had been moody & silent, and had not even touched the burger he'd ordered. When Colossus patted Sunspot on the shoulder, Sunspot flared up his mutant strength and knocked Colossus across the room. Colossus made a telepathic cry to the Professor for help just as Sunspot's black flare effect grew out of control, bleeding shadows all around him.

The Professor's psychic call for help woke Mirage and Cannonball. Cannonball embarrassed himself by walking in on Mirage while she was still getting dressed. Then the two quickly flew to Salem centre to find out why their classmate was in town so late. Back in Harry's Hideaway Colossus struggled to land a punch on Sunspot. His cold shadows seemed intangible. Eventually Colossus struck Sunspot, sending him flying through the air. However, it was too late as both strong mutants fell unconscious.

Meanwhile roughly 1,500 miles away in the Bermuda Triangle, Magneto travelled with Aleytys Forrester. He was recovering from he wounds he incurred from Warlock's destructive collision with Asteroid M, and sought solace on his old base. They found the island, which was evidently alien in origin. Typically Magneto spurned any signs of help from Ms Forrester claiming that she was only human, but her feisty attitude shunned off his insults and she helped him ashore.

Back at Xavier's mansion, the Professor couldn't detect any reason why Colossus or Sunspot failed to regain consciousness. While he and Doctor MacTaggert discussed the matter, Cannonball and Mirage wondered if they should wake the other New Mutants. They were interrupted by a telephone call in the middle of the night. Mirage tried to run away, but failed since she still hadn't fully recovered from the injuries inflicted during the Demon Bear's attack. So Cannonball flew them both to a swanky hotel in New York. Using Mirage's power to cast an illusion of them as wealthy clientele, they made their way up to the penthouse suite. Mirage's minor telepathy meant that she read the concierge's memories of a beautiful red-haired woman entering the hotel. However, when they reached the penthouse they found Wolfsbane crying. They couldn't understand how she had been the beautiful woman the concierge had seen. They flew her back to the mansion. Back in her bedroom, Wolfsbane held on to the pendant from her fantasy story (in New Mutants #22), and gave it to Mirage claiming she didn't know where it came from.

Down in the kitchen Mirage and Cannonball grew anxious over the strange behaviour of their friends. Then Cannonball discovered a story in the newpaper which spoke of a couple who had been attacked and hospitalised. They recognised the couple and went to visit them in Roosevelt Hospital. There they found Tyrone Johnson & Tandy Brown; the former super-powered heroes known as Cloak & Dagger. They had been stripped of their powers and seemed to enjoy the lack of responsibility that came with it. Tandy recalled when Sunspot & Wolfsbane had been injected with the same drug that had caused their own powers, but Tyrone refused to help the New Mutants. They only wanted to be left alone in peace.

Back in Professor Xavier's medical lab, Sunspot gained consciousness and unwittingly absorbed Colossus into his monstrous black shadows. The Professor attempted to protect both himself & Doctor MacTaggert, but was easily knocked unconscious.

Additional: In the back of this issue was a pin-up fact file drawn by Bill Sienkiewicz. This featured the newest member of the New Mutants, Warlock.

*References The Uncanny X-Men #150 - I, Magneto.

Sunspot's shadows enveloped the medical lab. He hungered for light to drive away the pain and would consume Doctor MacTaggert for more light. However his approach was stopped by Wolfsbane's sudden appearance. She immediately & subconsciously grew into a tall beautiful woman with long flowing hair, and transformed into a being of pure light. Both Doctor MacTaggert and Professor Xavier were at a loss for an explanation. Sunspot began to reduce in size, gradually resembling his normal self when powered up. However, Cannonball's sudden violent appearance scared Sunspot causing him to teleport away with Wolfsbane. Everyone left behind in the medical lab began to recall the events of the last day and the New Mutant's adventure with Cloak & Dagger (see Marvel Team-Up Annual #6).

Across town, Tyrone & Tandy had discharged themselves from Roosevelt Hospital. They were surprised at how scary and dark the city was. Tyrone stuttered as he attempted to comfort his friend.

Meanwhile in the Bermuda Triangle, Magneto complimented Lee Forrester on a beautiful green gown she was wearing. She told him of how she had found it, and began to wonder what the woman who had owned it was like. Magneto left her in peace, apologising for his earlier behaviour. Lee Forrester took the moment to giggle and thinking that there was still hope for him yet.

In St. Anne's Church, Father Bowen and his wards Leong & Nga Coy Manh (Karma's little brother & sister) were surprised by the sudden appearance of Wolfsbane and Sunspot. While at the bus terminal Tyrone & Tandy shooed away a pimp who was scouting for lost runaways. They realised how powerless they were, leaving him to recruit other children. Back at St. Anne's Sunspot cried thinking that he had killed Colossus. Wolfsbane transformed into a pure white wolf and ventured into Sunspot's shadows. There she found Colossus wandering through a desert where he lost the love & lives of both Kitty and Zsaji. Wolfsbane carried Colossus out of the shadow and was greeted by the rest of the New Mutants, Rogue and Professor Xavier. At the sight of her mentor she shrank back into a her normal appearance and raced into the Professor's arms.

Across town Tandy & Tyrone considered what they were running away from. They were frightened at how powerless they were in the city, but Tyrone knew he would lose the only person he loved if Tandy returned home.

Meanwhile, in St. Anne's the Professor telepathically chided Cannonball for wearing an inappropriate Lila Cheney t-shirt. Sunspot & Wolfsbane slept in peace, while Magik checked on her brother's health. Magik kept quiet about how the church made the demon half of her uncomfortable. Mirage then offered to use her psionic rapport backed-up by the Professor's telepathy to reach into Wolfsbane's mind. However, the experiment reached into Sunspot's mind, giving Wolfsbane nightmares and causing their new light & dark powers to flare out of control. Magik broke the connection by slicing her Soulsword through Mirage's belly.

The experience reminded Rogue of when the X-Men fought demons in Dallas (Uncanny X-Men issues 187 & 188), which gave Magik an idea. Against the Professor's wishes, she teleported Sunspot & Wolfsbane to Limbo. Wolfsbane panicked but was unable to resist the spells. Magik drew the light & dark powers out of her team-mates. But with nowhere for those powers to go, Magik ended up absorbing them. Ultimately the combination of light and dark proved too much for her, and she had to use her Soulsword on herself. Her Eldritch Armour grew, covering more of her body and the light & dark powers were sent back into Wolfsbane & Sunspot respectively.

Professor Xavier was furious with Magik's behaviour, but his lecture was cut short by the unexpected arrival of Tyrone and Tandy.

Tandy and her uncle, Father Bowen, were reunited. She confessed that she had been Dagger, and both she & Tyrone were ready to face up to their responsibilities. However, Tyrone continued to stutter and shout out of frustration, hurting Tandy's feelings. Sunspot continued to reel in pain, while Magik recounted what had happened in Limbo (see New Mutants #24). The new information gave Professor Xavier an idea.

He began by telepathically talking with Tyrone. The Professor confided how he felt when his telepathic powers first manifested. That at the time he only seemed to hear the worst and darkest thoughts of the people closest to him. When Tyone had calmed enough, the Professor confronted Tyrone with the knowledge that he was scared of losing Tandy. His anger was soon eased by Tandy's arrival. She hugged her best friend & re-assured him that she would always be there. With everyone ready for the next step in the Professor's plan, he commanded Magik to teleport them all to Limbo.

The teleportation itself was smooth & painless, but Cannonball and Mirage were ready to fight off any aggressive demons when they arrived in Limbo. Professor Xavier was telepathically connected to Rogue as she began to absorb the light powers out of Wolfsbane. The white streak in her hair grew until it was completely white, while the professor gained the distinctive white monocle over his right-eye. As Wolfsbane began to doubt that she looked as beautiful as Rogue did with the light-powers, Sunspot attempted to flee with his shadows flaring out of control. However Magik, as mistress of Limbo, refused to let him go without a fight. She held him off with her Soulsword and Tyrone leapt at Sunspot to confront his old shadowy powers. With Sunspot distracted, Rogue took the opportunity to absorb the shadows out of him. White and black poured across both Rogue and the Professor's skin as they were consumed with the powers of Cloak & Dagger. Just as they thought they couldn't contain the power any longer, Magik cast a spell that redirected the powers into their original vessels.

Everyone returned to St Anne's Church where Cloak & Dagger (fully restored) rejected offers to join Professor Xavier's school. They bade farewell to everyone, and accepted Father Bowen's offer to turn to him whenever they needed help. Magik tried to shrug off any praise, but fell asleep while talking.

Across town, the pimp that Tandy & Tyrone had encountered at the bus station had a young boy & girl in his apartment. He was dazzling them with fancy outfits when Cloak & Dagger arrived. They used their powers to scare the pimp out of business, and the children into sobering up. Dagger placed a call to her uncle Mike (Father Bowen) to give the young boy & girl a place to stay & some counselling.

Additional: In the back of this issue was a pin-up in the form of a fact file drawn by Bill Sienkiewicz. This feature had been done before in previous issues. This time however it featured an all new character, David Charles Haller, whom would become better known as Legion. The bombshell was dropped that this was Charles Xavier's son! In the next issue, Legion is also seen in-story.

Moira Mactaggert's newest patient, David Haller, is on a rampage! Will the New Mutants be able to stop this powerful new threat?

Note: This is the first full appearance of Legion, whose character was first discussed one issue before, in New Mutants 25.

On Muir Island, Tom Corsi was lifting weights that were twice the weight of the world record. He and Sharon Friedlander discussed the pros & cons of their new Native American bodies when they received a distressed telepathic call. They ran into David Haller's room to find the boy floating face-down above his cot. Items were racing around the room, blocking off any route of escape for them. As they began to consider how unfair life had been to them (first the Demon Bear, and now this) the room exploded. The following morning, the blackbird landed on Muir Isle. Moira MacTaggert greeted her lover, Banshee, followed by her adopted daughter Wolfsbane and half of the New Mutants team (Cypher, Mirage & Warlock). Mirage was amused to find Warlock thanking the blackbird for transporting them across the world, while Cypher was excited about what their next adventure would be. Inside he gave Jamie Madrox a hearty handshake, accidentally creating a duplicate of Multiple Man. Meanwhile, Professor Xavier examined the lifeless, but unharmed bodies of Tom Corsi & Sharon Friendlander. His examination was cut short by his reunion with Gabrielle Haller. She showed him her son telekinetically playing with Multiple Man and asked for the Professor's help. However, she refused to confide in him, the true nature of his relationship with David.

Back in Snow Valley Massachusetts, the White Queen telepathically punished Empath for leading Thunderbird (see Warpath) & Firestar in an assault against the X-Men (see events in Uncanny X-Men #193). He caught her with his power to make her love him, but she had faked the whole scenario. Instead she threatened to break his neck, and placed telepathic blocks inside his mind that prevented him from accessing his mutants powers.

In the Scottish town of Ullapool, the New Mutants were having trouble convincing Warlock to stay in disguise. He continually forgot and even absorbed the life glow of a passing seagull. Mirage panicked that she might have caught his transmode virus, but was soon put at ease. Their peace & quiet was shattered at the bigoted protests of Reverend Craig. He was at the head of a local mob, demanding that Wolfsbane remove herself before her devilish presence doomed their local community.

The Professor could sense Wolfsbane's distress, but was on the Astral Plane facing a brick wall surrounding David Haller's mind. An Arabic face appeared over the bricks, but the Professor was unable to understand what this new being was trying to communicate. He was then violently rejected from David's mind, moments before he, Moira MacTaggert and Gabrielle Halller were telekinetically hurled out of the room. David remained alone, sat upright, laughing at his victory over the Professor.

Meanwhile in the Bermuda Triangle, Lee Forrester woke in the middle of the night to discover various objects floating around the room. She ran to Magneto's chamber to discover his bed about to float out of the window. Pouncing on the bed she woke him while they were floating above the rocky shore. The surprise caused him to temporarily lose control over the flying furniture. After safely landing on the shore, the pair began to kiss and made love while being sprayed by the violent sea.

Back on Muir Isle, Professor Xavier apologized for his inappropriate behavior years ago when Gabrielle Haller was his patient. She reassured him that no apologies were needed, but she still refused to confide her secret about David's parentage. As they compared David to Moira's son, Proteus, Wolfsbane snuck out of her bedroom to visit Moira MacTaggert. She was still shaken by the events in Ullapool, so mother & daughter hugged. However, the moment was interrupted by the telepathic appearance of the Arabic face inside David Haller's mind. The event was followed up by another fiery explosion, seemingly destroying Doctor MacTaggert's lab.

The madness of David Haller! Stunning revelations unfold as the true parentage and mental secrets of Legion are revealed!

Professor Xavier failed to wake Moira MacTaggert, just as Mirage failed to use her telepathic rapport to wake Wolfsbane. Gabrielle Haller still refused to give the Professor any extra information she was hiding about David's autism.

Mirage convinced the Professor to telepathically enter David's mind together, and then use her rapport to locate Wolfsbane within his psyche. However, moments after admiring the Professor's astral form she was attacked by a wolf that she mistook for Wolfsbane. During the psychic attack their physical bodies began to ignite. Although covered in flames they didn't actually burn, but the attack soon spread to Cypher & Gabrielle Haller as well. Warlock could only scream while they were dragged into David's mind and imprisoned in a bubble. The Professor decided that he couldn't lose more people inside David's mind, and began to tear down the brick wall. The psychic assault caused David to scream in pain and he began to cry out for his father. Cries aimed directly at the Professor. Discovering that David Haller was his son, the Professor was unable to continue fighting while holding onto Gabrielle Haller, Mirage & Cypher. As they fell deeper into David's psyche, the Professor was confronted by three faces. A feisty girl, an Arabic lad and a man who spoke like a cowboy. They addressed themselves as Legion (in reference to the biblical figure who was possessed by a legion of demons), while David's own personality was a very small boy who struggled to be heard above the others. David continued to cry for help, but the Professor had to search for the others first. Warlock and the Multiple Man struggled to cope with all the unconscious bodies, while the Professor dived deeper into David's mind. He arrived in a place that resembled Paris, but with a huge black dome that covered the majority of the city. The psychic Paris landscape was under constant attack. Wolfsbane used her added agility & strength from her transitional form to carry Moira MacTaggert out of harms way, while Mirage, Cypher and Gabrielle Halller took care of themselves. The Professor saw the Arabic lad and tried to call out to him, but was forced back by an attacking gunship. He was saved by a tall white man with a moustache. Jack Wayne spoke like a cowboy out of a western film. Despite the Professor warning himself not to, he immediately warmed to Jack. Jack was one of the Legion of personalities, who used his telekinetic powers to protect them from enemy fire. The Professor had already surmised that the Arab boy was a telepath, which Jack confirmed. He added that David's true essence had been locked away in the black dome by the telepathic Arab. They then began to move towards a tower next to the dome to find the telepathic personality. Cypher and Mirage looked for a clear path away from enemy fire. Gabrielle Haller spotted the Arabic boy and reacted violently towards him screaming that he'd killed her best friend. The two New Mutants held her back, but had to flee when a tank began to attack. Elsewhere, Wolfsbane & Moira MacTaggert encountered the third of David Haller's Legion of personalities; a pyrokinetic girl called Cyndi. She was permanently angry and aggressive, always eager to use her fire powers, but she agreed to help them. Cornered on the Eiffel Tower, Cypher & Mirage threw debris down to stop the fierce soldiers. The creatures had no minds, therefore Mirage's power had no effect on them. Suddenly they were saved as the soldiers burst into flames. The reunion was short lived as Mirage demanded to know more about David and the Arab. She explained that the Arab had tried to murder her son, but that was when he autism and mutant powers manifested. David had acted out of self-defense, but since he was unable to control is powers he had killed his would-be attackers. Moira MacTaggert then concluded that David had absorbed the psychic personality of the Arab, meaning that this aspect of his personality was the actual person who had tried to kill him. Cyndi then informed them that Jack was preparing to tackle the dome. It appeared as if the dome had grown into a mountain for them to climb. Cyndi then began to flirt with Cypher. In another part of 'Paris' Jack Wayne handed the Professor a dagger. He had convinced him that it would be the only way to deal with the telepathic Arab boy.

The battle rages on in the psyche of David Haller! Can Professor X and the new mutants repair the fractured mind of Xavier's son?

Jack Wayne used his telekinetic powers to help the Professor climb the tower inside David's mind. They were soon joined by the New Mutants, Moira MacTaggert, Gabrielle Haller and Cyndi the pyrokinetic. Cyndi & Jack clearly didn't like each other, but used their powers to defeat circling gunships. The Professor chastised Jack's behavior, reminding him to work as part of a team. However, the weather changed. The wind was trying to blow them off the tower and the tower itself grew spikes trying to push them all off. In the Bermuda Triangle, Lee Forrester had been for a swim and thought about how her situation with Magneto was a lot like a statue of a naked human couple lay in offering before an alien ruler. As she sat thinking, he magnetically lowered a breakfast tray with a rose on it. She reacted coldly, and when Magneto asked what was wrong she attempted to dive back into the water. However, he used his power to pull her back onto the poolside, desperate to talk more about what was bothering her. She yelled about how she was only a human and that he could kill her if he changed his mind about his feelings for her. Magneto revealed his previous pain of when his wife left him after discovering that he was a mutant, and he left Lee in peace asking her not to abandon him in the same way.

Meanwhile, Jack Wayne use his telekinesis to carry everyone on a platform. As they drifted along the tower the Professor and Mirage combined their powers to reach out to the Arabian telepath. Their strike was successful, and the Arab collapsed, but so did Jack Wayne's floating platform. Thankfully they were only a few meters off the ground, an illusion that was part of the Arab's telepathic defenses. They landed next to the dome, and Cypher recalled an episode of Star Trek where a telepath had fooled everyone into thinking that their weapons were harmless. Taking Cypher's meaning, the Professor walked into the wall of the black dome and passed effortlessly inside it.

Inside the dome was a room full of floating crystals. Each crystal was fragile and represented one of David Haller's memories. Mirage and Wolfsbane telepathically spoke of their distrust for Jack Wayne, but trusted the Professor's judgement. Mirage grew lonely when Gabrielle Haller realized that the images in the crystal were of her with her son, and she wanted to see her own memories of her grandfather. Cyndi flirted more with Cypher while Wolfsbane discovered broken crystals on the floor. Jack Wayne blamed the damages on the Arab, and Cypher was cut by a crystal shard.

Jemail Karami, the Arab telepath, suddenly appeared above them in another dense cluster of crystals. As Jack clashed with Jemail the crystals went flying in all directions. Everyone scattered for safety, and Cypher dived to protect Cyndi. Gabrielle Haller was suddenly confronted with the memory of her friend's death & when Jemail went to kill her son. She launched a physical attack on Jemail and had to be restrained by the Professor. However, both Gabrielle Haller's warning, and Wolfsbane's attempts to protect the Professor failed as Jack Wayne telekinetically sent a wave of crystals after him. With the Professor out of the way Jack drew out his knife and approached Jemail.

In the Hellfire Club, Empath passed the details of Magma & Sunspot to a lady. She acted as a proxy for an unknown master. She chided Empath for being powerless since his encounter with the White Queen (see New Mutants #26), but admitted that her employer would be very interested in the two New Mutants.

Back in David's mind, Cypher leapt on Jack Wayne's back long enough to stop him from killing Jemail. Jack telekinetically threw Cypher away and Mirage pulled out Jack's greatest fear; an image of Professor Xavier as a loving father who cared for David. Jack flew screaming from the illusion, giving Mirage a chance to tend to Jemail. Despite Gabrielle Haller's vocal protests, they begun to converse with Jemail. Through his contact with Cypher, Jemail had telepathically learnt English and was finally able to talk to everyone else. He explained that he was originally angry at being trapped inside the mind of a young boy, but grew to see the unconditional love between mother & son. Moved by such kindness, he had used his telepathic powers to try and mend David's mind. He led Mirage to the unconscious forms of Tom Corsi & Sharon Friedlander saying that he had tried to help them too. But Jemail was worried that the damage caused by the fight with Jack was irreversible. Mirage then came up with a plan. She forced Jack Wayne to work in tandem with Jemail Karami. Together they reformed as many of the crystals inside David's mind.

Back in the physical world, the Professor had taken nearly two weeks to regain consciousness. Mirage explained everything, and the Professor told her that her grandfather would be proud. The next day he was introduced to David Haller. It was the first time they met as father and son, and the Professor was characteristically distant. David managed to speak with his father, but was soon interrupted by the voices of Jack, Cyndi & Jemail respectively. All three of them continued to reside within David's mind, taking turns to talk, and each retaining their control over different powers. However, David was ultimately in control, and finally father & son embraced. The Professor promised his son that he would never be alone. Later out on the beach, the Professor promised Gabrielle Haller that he would help their son to the best of his abilities. However, his attention was drawn to another new danger. The Professor's telepathy had detected the presence of the Beyonder.

Who are the Gladiators, and what is their plan for the New Mutants? A fight to the death, of course! Sunspot and Magma will enter into their final fight unless Dazzler and the remaining New Mutants can save them.

Cannonball burst through the walls of Westchester County Airport carrying Magik. Both of them were wearing nothing but their swimsuits. Cannonball ran outside, barefoot in the snow and was nearly run over by the red van he'd been chasing. He flew through the van and dragged the driver out, but dumped him on the ground before flying into the air in pursuit of the plane that had just taken off. However, the pilot caused one of the jets to blast fire out at Cannonball, which distracted him enough to cause him to fall. Magik caught him in one of her stepping discs, and teleported him to Limbo. There she handed over the rogue driver to Sym for interrogation. The driver soon confessed that their friends were to be taken to fight as Gladiators in Los Angeles. Magik was sure that she could control her teleportation stepping discs so that they would arrive before the plane landed. However, just like when they were in the Massachusetts Academy (see New Mutants # 17) Magik transported them through time as well as space; they arrived a week later.

Cannonball flew them both to Lila Cheney's Los Aangeles beach house where Guido, her butler & bodyguard, refused them entry until Cannonball identified himself. Lila threw herself into Cannonball's arms and then transported them to her Dyson sphere. However, she didn't realise that she'd also teleported her new backing singer, Alison Blaire. Dazzler hadn't revealed her mutant identity for fear of losing work. She overheard Cannonball's problem with the Gladiators and told them what she remembered from working with them before. She offered to help, but Lila was suspicious of Dazzler's addiction to the spotlight. Lila then had Guido arrange tickets for that night's Gladiators show.

Somewhere in LA, Sunspot demanded to see Magma. He had been dressed in a partially armoured outfit, similar to that he'd worn in the Nova Roma arena (see New Mutants #9). Suddenly the door smashed in and he was attacked by Axe. However, Axe dodged Sunspot's attacks and held him in a choke hold while a holographic projection of a man called Alexander Flynn explained the situation. Sunspot was still unreceptive until Magma arrived (also wearing a skimpy suit of armour). She explained that innocent homeless children were being held hostage. If Sunspot & Magma refused to fight, then the kidnapped children would take their place in the arena. They couldn't see any other way out of the situation and were therefore forced to agree to fight.

On the alien island in the Bermuda Triangle, Magneto nearly collapsed as he used his magnetic powers to raise a fallen alien statue. Lee Forester caught him from behind, and apologised for her behaviour before (see the previous issue). They reconciled with a kiss, but were soon interrupted by a pained telepathic message from Professor Xavier. He implored Magneto to lead the X-Men in battle against the Beyonder. Magneto was then left to explain the situation to Lee in more detail.

Back in LA, Lila, Dazzler and the two New Mutants arrived at the gladiatorial arena. The owner was thrilled to see that Dazzler had returned, and delighted to identify Cannonball. Once seated Lila compared Dazzler to an ex-junkie who was holding a bag of pure heroin. Magik enquired as to what their plan of action was, and Cannonball just suggested that they grab the others and use Lila's power to teleport out of their as soon as possible.

The battle begun and Dazzler immediately jumped into the arena to help her friend Ivich. Across the arena Sunspot & Magma struggled to hold their own, and were thrown off by Dazzler's light show. Suddenly, the roof of the arena lifted up and Magneto demanded that the mutants accompany him to fight the Beyonder. However, Sunspot & Magma refused to leave, forcing Cannonball and the others to go with Magneto.

Note: The events of Secret Wars II # 1 directly precede the events of New Mutants # 30.

The New Mutants struggle to come up with a plan to defeat the Gladiators and rescue their friends, while Dazzler must choose where her true loyalties lie.

Note: The events at the start of this issue follow directly from events details in Secret Wars II #1.

Cannonball, Dazzler, Rachel Summers & Shadowcat fought to survive against the landscape of Limbo. After the Beyonder pulled out Magik's demonized physical form of the Darkchilde, she instinctively teleported them to her realm. As mistress of Limbo, Darkchilde's emotional state was reflected in the environment, and her shock at having her soul exposed in front of friends and family meant that Limbo itself tried to attack her friends. Darkchilde summoned her Soulsword which was crackling with pure black energy instead of white. Shadowcat snatched it from her and gained Darkchilde's Eldritch Armor in the process. Slicing the Soulsword down it's mistress caused Darkchilde great pain, but ultimately caused her to revert her back to her normal self. Shadowcat was concerned of the effect on Magik's soul, and also for her own.

After they calmed down and changed clothes Magik teleported them back to Los Angeles. Instead of pursuing the Beyonder, they were going to liberate Sunspot & Magma from the Gladiators (see New Mutants #29). Cannonball was unable to reach the X-Men's mansion by telephone, and when they used Lila's car the others teased him about his bad driving. Cannonball explained that when the time came to learn how to drive, he was forced to go down the mines to earn money to pay for his father's hospital bills. While driving along, Dazzler offered to infiltrate the Gladiators, but Shadowcat refused the offer saying that she was best suited to do it herself.

In the Gladiator's arena, Sunspot received as many hits as he dealt. He managed to knock his opponents unconscious, therefore winning his match. However, he'd been slashed across his torso which bled heavily. Alexander Flynn's holographic image reminded Sunspot & Magma that he would send innocent runaway children into the arena if they did not fight. Outside the mansion where the Gladiators and their boss resided, Cannonball & Shadowcat were spying to see any sign of their friends. They didn't notice the Beyonder's cloaked presence watching them, just as they didn't notice Dazzler slip down the hillside until she was walking up the driveway of the mansion. Cannonball grew angry with Shadowcat for taking over, giving orders, and letting Dazzler endanger herself. However, inside the mansion Dazzler received mixed greetings. Her friends were happy to see her, but they didn't trust her until she had drank an entire flask of drugged wine. The Gladiators' mysterious leader was thrilled at Dazzler's return and killed a slave out of sheer enjoyment.

Later, Shadowcat entered the complex in disguise. She applied for the position of a behind-the-scenes-techy and was granted the job after a successful demonstration of her talents.

Meanwhile, Dazzler began her act. She began singing on stage before lurching into the foray and easily disabling her opponents with a series of blinding lights & physical attacks. Afterwards she want to see Sunspot & Magma, apologising for defeating them and bragging about how she had gone easy on them. However, they didn't trust her as they recognised her lust for the spotlight. They revealed the reason why they had chosen to stay, which was overheard by Shadowcat's new audio spying device. Using the device to communicate with Cannonball outside, she admitted that she'd made a mistake letting Dazzler go in. Rachel was unable to maintain telepathic contact because of psi-shields placed around the mansion.

During the Gladiator's practise session the next morning, Magma & Sunspot made repeated attacks against Dazzler. She had hoped that there would be a sense of camaraderie with the New Mutants, but was hurt at how they had turned on her.

Meanwhile outside, Rachel was meditating as she tried to focus on the Beyonder's presence. Cannonball and Magik discussed the reasons why the Beyonder had appeared on Earth, but Rachel announced she was no longer able to detect him.

Inside the mansion Shadowcat phased through the floor and descended into Sunspot's cell. In doing so she had tripped the alarms, but managed to inform Sunspot that there were no children being held hostage.

Outside, the others ran to help their friends but were stopped by the sudden appearance of the Beyonder. Magik threatened him with her Soulsword, but Rachel telekinetically yanked her out of the Beyonder's way. Instead, Rachel nervously reached into the Beyonder's mind. Their two minds connected an became one, she sensed his curiosity and desire to seek more information. Both Rachel and the Beyonder became consumed in a burning light, which was broken by Cannonball who blasted them all towards the mansion.

Back inside the mansion Shadowcat had separated from Sunspot to locate Dazzler. Upon finding her, she read her diary. Dazzler's inner most thoughts revealed that she was guilt-stricken and considered suicide. Shadowcat was relieved to find Dazzler awake, but Dazzler's lights began to glow hypnotically. A grotesque shadowy figure grabbed Shadowcat. Just as Shadowcat began to recognise the voice and the laugh, she was taken away.

Playing along with their captors, Magma & Sunspot took the stage. When Dazzler appeared singing on stage they knew that something was wrong. Instead of facing the Gladiators they were face-to-face with a gigantic monster, at least two-stories tall, wielding a humongous axe and mace.

Note: Illyana Rasputin is referred to as both Magik and Darkchilde, depending on her appearance. When she appears to be a normal girl she is referred to as Magik, and when she transforms into a demon-girl with horns and a tail she is called Darkchilde. This does not reflect how the characters address her, merely her appearance and mental state at that point in the story.