New Mutants (4th series) #18

Krakoa:
Karma and Mirage sit on a rock at the Singing Falls. Mirage asks if Karma is ready, then uses her power to manifest the soul of Karma’s brother Tran that is trapped inside his sister’s mind.

Tran wonders how they can speak outside of Otherworld. Karma explains it is time to set him free. To do so, she will enter the Crucible on his behalf. It is a form of ritual combat and death. She will pay for both their freedom in blood.

He protests, how will she free them by killing them? Karma explains death is no longer permanent for their kind. Cerebro has recorded them as separate entities. Once they are dead, they can be resurrected separately. He asks why not simply let him go? Karma explains their most powerful psychics have tried to separate them and failed. While she is alive, he cannot be untwinned from her. This is the best chance they have. So there is no guarantee? he presses and calls this insane. She replies Krakoa is about second chances for both of them. They deserve to start anew. Tran thanks her.

The image disappears and Dani can finally break contact.

Soon, the two find themselves in the Crucible arena. Silver Samurai introduces them and adds that, in deference of Tran, the two will fight without powers. Karma has a sword, Dani a bow and arrow.

Karma reminds her she is counting on her. The two begin to fight. In the audience, Anole notices that Cosmar isn’t feeling well.

Scout makes her way through the audience to Warpath to ask for some hypothetical advice. He asks why she doesn’t talk to her sister. Scout explains she has a lot going on with being locked in the Vault for a gajillion years, then losing her memories about it. She doesn’t want to bother her too much. Besides, he always has answers to questions. Fair enough, he grins. She describes the hypothetical scenario of a group of mutant friends who are all unhappy, which might lead to them doing some pretty sketchy stuff. Nothing against the Laws, and she knows they don’t really die anymore, but hurting still matters, and she knows what it’s like to be used.

James carefully replies that their new way of life shouldn’t erase what’s kept them alive and sane. She is a well-adjusted individual for all she’s been through. She should trust her instincts.

Gabby is surprised at his support. Just because they want this place to work doesn’t mean they close their eyes to what’s going on, he tells her.

In the meantime, Cosmar and her friend group leave the audience.

James asks if Gabby needs help. Does she want someone to back her up? Looking after the others, Gabby declines. James tells her he trusts her but, if she says the word, they are here. She smiles and thanks him as she leaves.

In the arena, Dani criticizes Xi’an for being too hesitant and sloppy. She is not supposed to give up but fight for what she wants. She creates an image of Tran, who asks her if this is how she keeps her promise. Karma admits she is afraid. What happens once they are separated? Will things be right or will they continue to make each other suffer? /&% fear! she decides and slices Dani’s bow apart with her blade.

The audience gets more excited. Wolfsbane walks away.

The Boneyard:
The Lost Club look around, not really happy with any of the corpses they have found so far. They are joined by Scout, who asks what they are doing. Cosmar explains they have practiced body swapping. They found out the bodies that degrade are the ones that are inhabited. They wanted to experiment with inanimate bodies.

Scout calls it gross and points out they don’t have the permission of the people whose bodies they want to use. Rain Boy retorts they have already given their bodies to mutant science. Scout disagrees. She spent most of her life being used, by her creators, by people who wanted to take over her body. She knows what it looks like being manipulated. Shadow King is using them! He’s convinced them he is the only one they can trust and they are doing things they would have hated a few weeks ago! And he promises to solve all their problems if they do all this stuff that even they do not think is good. He’s a liar!

Cosmar orders her to shut up. She has no idea what it’s like! Scout talked about what was done to her. What about them? No-Girl didn’t choose to be as she is. That was done to her! And yet they leave her like that, because she can still use her powers. That’s not fair! Cosmar just wants to be herself again, and everyone treats her as ungrateful.

While she rages, she controls the dead bodies. They keep saying her power is a gift but her entire life was ripped away by it! She can’t even look at a mirror anymore!

Scout tries to comfort her but insists Shadow King is going to get them hurt!

Anole retorts that she doesn’t know what it’s like, because she doesn’t look different. Rain Boy adds they aren’t hurting anyone. He just wants to be solid!

Scout praises Cosmar for her increasing control over her power, but stresses that she worries. Anole retorts they aren’t breaking any of the Laws. So she either tattles on them or she backs off! Rain Boy accuses her of trying to control them.

Rahne joins them and asks what is going on. Anole replies Scout is sticking her nose where she’s been told it doesn’t belong. She thinks Shadow King is a creep and won’t leave them alone about it. She just wants to make sure her friends are okay, Gabby protests weakly. Rahne leads her away and suggests they have a talk about her concerns.

The Crucible:
Dani announces Karma has done what she came to do. Now it’s time to rest. She attacks with a knife and Xi’an dodges. For a moment, she wonders why she is doing this. Why help someone who caused her only pain? Is it a good idea to release Tran on Krakoa?

She recalls their childhood and wonders who Tran is. The brother she comforted and protected or the man who forced her to choose between his exile and her life? But she realizes it isn’t up to her to decide who Tran is and will be. Only he can do that. And that is what she is fighting for.

It is time, she decides and charges leaving herself wide open… and Mirage hits her fatally.

In the jungle, Scout tells Rahne everything that happened until she realizes where Rahne has led her - to a fire where the Shadow King is sitting. Rahne tells her she needs to face her problems heads-on.

Farouk ask what leads them here. Rahne tells Gabby she has a right to her fear, but he has a right to hear it. She assures her it is all right and leaves.

Farouk asks Scout if she has some misgivings about him mentoring her friends. Why don’t they talk? Gabby retorts he doesn’t scare her and she won’t let him mess with her friends anymore.

In the arena, a dying Karma jokes she would be lying if she said she was sorry that Dani is the last thing she sees. Dani tells her to rest.

Karma is awakened from an egg and is greeted and introduced by Storm, who tells her she is her own woman again. Her friends welcome her back.