X-amining Generation X #-1

"The Beginning of a Beautiful Friendship!"

July 1997

In a Nutshell

A young Emma Frost and NYPD officer Sean Cassidy cross paths with Dark Beast!

Writer: James Robinson
Penciler: Chris Bachalo
Inker: Al Vey
Letterer: Comicraft
Colorist: Marie Javins

Associate Editor: Mark Powers

Editor: Bob Harras

Plot

Hoping to use her nascent telepathic abilities to glean stock market tips from the wealthy elite, Emma Frost gatecrashes a party at the Hellfire Club. Overuse of her power exhausts her, however, leading to an encounter with Harry Leland, who offers to give her a ride home. But after passing out in the bathroom, Emma awakens and sneaks away on her own. Outside the club, she's accosted by a group of men, an encounter observed by NYPD detective Sean Cassidy and his partner, who are surveilling the club to watch for Leland. As the men chase Emma into an alley, Sean rushes to help. Cornered, Emma is knocked out by one of the men, at which point they're attacked from the shadows by a savage beast. Emma awakens in the sewer lair of the Dark Beast, and the two agree to help each other. Just then Sean arrives, having followed them, and believes Dark Beast to be threatening Emma. He attacks, and Dark Beast responds in kind, almost killing Sean. He is saved by a telepathic burst from Emma, at which point Sean's partner, as well as Leland, arrive. Rather than be arrested long with Dark Beast, Emma uses her telepathy to alter their minds, directing them to take Sean to the hospital. Then she and Dark Beast part, their alliance secure.  

X-amining Generation X #28

"Oh, Now I Get It..." / "Double Feature"

June 1997

In a Nutshell

Generation X is trapped in their dreams by Glorian

Writer: Scott Lobdell
Penciler: Chris Bachalo, Brian Hitch (2nd Story)
Inker: Al Vey, Paul Neary (2nd Story)
Letterer: Richard Starkings & Joe Andreani
Colorist: Mark Powers
Editor: Bob Harras

Plot

The students kidnapped by Black Tom wake up to find themselves aboard a ship, living their dreams. Paige is blissfully ignorant, Chamber's face is back to normal, Synch is running a children's daycamp with Jubilee, and Monet is living a decadent life with her brother at her side. Elsewhere, the real Jubilee remains a captive of Operation: Zero Tolerance. Daria pleads with her to eat, but Jubilee refuses, asking a shaken Daria how someone as young as she is could buy into Operation: Zero Tolerance. Back on the ship, Generation X's benefactor, Glorian, Shaper of Dreams, confronts the one person who refuses to play along: Skin. Insisting that Glorian has misunderstood and twisted the dreams of his friends, Skin infuriates Glorian to the point that he finally grants Skin's desire, sending him and his friends home — Skin's former home in LA.  

X-amining Incredible Hulk '97 #1

"Sins of the Father" / "Where the Wild Things Are"

1997

In a Nutshell

Hulk battles Gladiator, and gets blamed for Franklin's nightmares. 

Writer: Chris Cooper, Bill Roseman (2nd Story)
Penciler: Jeff Rebner, Kevin Lay (2nd Story)
Inker: Mark Irwin, Andrew Pepoy (2nd Story)
Letterer: Chris Eliopoulos 
Colorist: Glynis Oliver
Editor: Polly Watson & Bobby Chase

Plot

1st Story: Members of the Pantheon approach Doctor Samson, seeking his help to find the Hulk's illegitimate son, David. Samson is stunned, having never heard of of Bruce Banner having a son. Meanwhile, Gladiator and Oracle of the Shi'ar Imperial Guard are searching for a shape-shifter named Elamron, who was last seen with Hulk. All parties, including David, converge on the Hulk. Gladiator and Hulk fight, with Gladiator taking Hulk into space and Hulk turning Gladiator's heat vision back on him. But when Hulk sees the look of fear on David's face, he stops, reminded of his own childhood. In the confusion David — actually Elamron — disappears.

X-amining Generation X #27

"The Last X-Man"

May 1997

In a Nutshell

Bastion tries to convince Jubilee she is the last X-Man to get intel on the team. 

Writer: Scott Lobdell
Penciler: Chris Bachalo & Pop Mhan
Inker: Al Vey & Scott Hanna
Letterer: Richard Starkings & Comicraft
Colorist: Marie Javins & Doctor Martin
Editor: Bob Harras

Plot

Bastion interrogates a captive Jubilee, trying to extract information about the X-Men and their location by weakening her psychic defenses by claiming the X-Men are dead or captured. Meanwhile, Emma probes Banshee's subconscious mind hoping to find clues as to the whereabouts of their students; something she sees reveals to Banshee where they are, and he flies off. Back at the headquarters of Operation: Zero Tolerance, Daria, Bastion's aid, grows concerned over Bastion's treatment of Jubilee. However, Jubilee continues to rebuff his efforts, even infuriating him to the point that he inadvertently reveals information about himself. Enraged, he drops the charade and simply beats Jubilee, leaving her alone to ponder her decisions. As he walks out, a bloodied Jubilee declares that she sure showed him... 

X-amining Generation X #26

"Adrift"

April 1997

In a Nutshell

Jubilee tries to escape from Bastion while her classmates try to survive at sea!

Writer: Scott Lobdell
Artists: Joe Bennet & Joe Pimentel
Letterer: Richard Starkings & Comicraft
Colorist: Marie Javins
Editor: Bob Harras

Previously, in Generation X... 

Plot

Adrift on a chunk of vegetation in the middle of the ocean after escaping from Black Tom, Chamber, M, Husk, Skin and Synch fight to stave off the effects of exposure and find a way to reach land, to no avail. Meanwhile, back at the school, Banshee mourns the death of Emma and desperately tries to find his missing students. Elsewhere, Jubilee manages to knock out the Operation: Zero Tolerance guards holding her, but when her powers overreact and seriously injures one of them, she stops to make sure he's okay, much to a watching Bastion's confusion as this delay leads to her recapture. Back at the school, Emma revives following another psychic encounter with Nightmare, revealing to Banshee that she was only faking her death and their students are still alive. 

X-amining Generation X #25

"The End"/ "Behind the Eight Ball" / "Cutting to the Chase" / "Putting Out the Fire" / "The Great Escape" / "Point of No Return" / "Enemy Mine" / "Duel" / "Splitting Heirs" / "On Land or Sea or Foam"

March 1997

In a Nutshell

Black Tom and Mondo attack the school! 

Writer: Scott Lobdell
Penciler: Chris Bachalo
Inker: Al Vey and Scott Hana
Letterer: Richard Starkings/Comicraft
Colorist: Vancata
Editor: Bob Harras

Plot
After secretly lurking in the school's biosphere, Black Tom executes his revenge plot against Banshee, capturing Monet, Paige, Chamber, Synch and Skin while taking control of Emma's body and letting his evil Mondo creation loose in the school. As Banshee fights his demented cousin, Bastion secretly arrives and captures Jubilee. He also executes the evil Mondo. Meanwhile, Franklin Richards, Artie, Leech, Tana Nile, Howard the Duck and Beverly Switzler are rescued from Black Tom by the Man-Thing. Black Tom proceeds to force Banshee and Emma to fight one another. Banshee refuses to hurt Emma, but she takes control of his mind and forces him to blast her with his sonic scream in order to save the students. Just then, Banshee realizes the kids Tom has captured are just lifeless shells, and Black Tom reveals he's sequestered the real kids somewhere safe. Suddenly, the overlooked Penance attacks Black Tom, slicing apart his plant body. Thousands of miles away, with Black Tom's influence lifted, a plant pod releases from the ocean floor and rises to the surface, where it opens and reveals the real Monet, Paige, Chamber, Skin and Synch, adrift in the middle of the ocean. 

X-amining Generation X #24

"Home for the Holidays"

February 1997

In a Nutshell

Emma and the girls celebrate Christmas in Monaco!

Writer: Scott Lobdell
Penciler: Rick Leonardi & Mitch Byrd
Inker: Bud Larosa and Jason Martin
Letterer: Richard Starkings & Comicraft
Colorist: Steve Buccellato
Editor: Bob Harras

Plot

Emma Frost loves Christmas, and she has taken Monet, Jubilee, and Paige to Monet's home in Monaco for the holiday. In the interest of camaraderie, Jubilee suggests they all share something about themselves the others don't know, leading each woman to share how the experience of their powers first manifesting. Meanwhile, back at the school, Mondo trudges through the snowy grounds to meet a mysterious figure; when he asks if its time yet, the figure tells him to be patient; the time will come - sooner than he thinks. 

X-amining Generation X #23

"For All This...We Give Thanks"

January 1997

In a Nutshell

Generation X celebrates Thanksgiving.

Writer: Scott Lobdell
Penciler: Mitch Byrd 
Inker: Jason Martin and Karl Story 
Letterer: Richard Starkings & Comicraft
Colorist: Steve Buccellato

Enhancements: GCW
Editor-in-Chief: Bob Harras

Plot

Banshee ruminates on his strained relationship with his daughter as he prepares to take Monet to a doctor to discuss her autism, but Monet insists she is not going. Meanwhile, Paige and Chamber are in Kentucky celebrating Thanksgiving with Paige's family. At the school, Monet admits that when her mutant powers first manifested, her father took her to see lots of doctors, and she doesn't want to experience that again. In Kentucky, Paige and Chamber arrive at her home to find her family away for the afternoon, which Chamber takes as an insult, but Paige reminds him there are plenty of "freaks" in her family already, so Chamber doesn't bother them. Elsewhere, Bastion and Daria continue to look into Emma Frost. In the Biosphere, Howard the Duck and his friend Beverly meet Artie, Leech and Franklin, and discover the boys are trying to help a sick Tana Nile. At the Guthrie Farm, Paige and Chamber discuss their feelings for each other, with Paige skewering some of Chamber's perceptions of her expectations about their relationship, angry at his ignorance of her own feelings. Later, Emma and Banshee discuss Monet and the possible threat she represents to the school, while being unknowingly watched by a hidden figure with wooden appendages. Back in Kentucky, Chamber tells Paige he's leaving, and Paige quietly calls him a jerk as he departs. 

X-amining Generation X '96

"Everyday People"

1996

In a Nutshell

Generation X foils a plot by Fenris that impacts three different bystanders. 

Writer: Michael Golden 
Artists: Jeff Johnson and Dan Panosian
Letterer: Richard Starkings & Comicraft
Colorist: Cabrera, Lazellari and GCW 
Editor: Mark Powers

Editor-in-Chief: Bob Harras

Plot

In the wake of Onslaught's attack, Banshee takes Mondo, Monet, Jubilee, Skin, Paige and Synch into New York City. Tensions run high inside the van as the group gets stuck in traffic. Meanwhile, the lives of three normal humans begin to intersect with the Generation X kids as well as the actions of Andrea and Andreas Strucker, who lead their Fenris terrorist organization in a plot to steal a mutagenic machine. Throughout the course of the day, the actions of the three people, Fenris, and Generation X are inextricably drawn together, with Generation X ultimately defeating Fenris (though the twins get away), while the lives of  three people are changed as a result of the events. 

X-amining Generation X #22

"All Hallows Eve"

December 1996

In a Nutshell

Generation X celebrates Halloween while Emma is visited by Nightmare!

Writer: Scott Lobdell
Penciler: Chris Bachalo
Inkers: Al Vey & Scott Hanna 
Letterer: Richard Starkings & Comicraft
Colorist: Steve Buccellato
Editor-in-Chief: Bob Harras

Plot

In Rutland, Vermont, Banshee & Paige watch over Artie, Leech, and Franklin Richards as they participate in the town's Halloween celebration. Back at the school, Jubilee, Skin, Chamber, and Monet team-up to help prank a group of locals hoping to vandalize the school. Watching from afar, Emma is visited once again by Nightmare, who says he needs her help. Back in Rutland, Paige asks Banshee if he's ever sad about missing the childhood of Siryn, his daughter, and then Franklin comes up to them, saying he misses his mother and father. Paige, who also lost her father at a young age, helps him manage his grief. Meanwhile, Nightmare tells Emma he needs her help to regain control of his dream realm from a woman who has usurped him; Emma doesn't buy it, and he admits he really just wanted to make sure Emma wouldn't be able to help his rival. Emma assures him she is not capable of projecting corporeal forms into the nightmare realm. In Rutland, Banshee and Paige pack the exhausted boys into the car, and Artie creates a projection of what Siryn would have looked like at their age, his way of saying thank you. Back at the school, Nightmare visits Emma once more, and as his way of saying thanks, offers her a vision of what the future holds, dark events which will befall her students. 

X-amining Generation X #21

"To Live and Die and Molt in LA"

November 1996

In a Nutshell

Skin visits his own grave while his classmates take a test.

Writer: Scott Lobdell
Penciler: Chris Bachalo
Inker: Joe Pimentel
Letterer: Richard Starkings & Comicraft
Colorist: Steve Buccellato
Editor: Bob Harras

Plot

At Xavier's school, Beast administers a mid-term exam in Xenobiology; Penance sneaks into the classroom and tries to take the test as well, while Beast insists that Monet remain in class despite having already completed the test. In Los Angeles, Howard the Duck and Chamber start a bar fight to draw the attention of gang leader Tores. At the school, Monet enters another fugue state, drawing Beast's attention, while Sean and Emma discuss his teaching methods. In LA, Skin's mother arrives at the cemetery where he is supposed to be buried; she is comforted in her grief by an old man. Back at the school, Monet awakens; when Beast asks her if she has these spells often, she says no, but her classmates disagree. In LA, Tores arrives at Skin's grave, cursing him for dying. The old man watches her leave, then Chamber and Howard emerge as the old man removes his disguise. Skin goes to his own grave, and Chamber asks if he's going to tell them what's going on and why he asked them to keep Tores busy; Skin says no. Back at the school, Beast meets with Emma and Sean, and tells them he thinks Monet is autistic. 

X-amining Generation X #20

"Bodies in Motion"

October 1996

In a Nutshell

Banshee throws a barbecue to help the kids deal with recent events. 

Writer: Scott Lobdell
Penciler: Chris Bachalo
Inker: Mark Buckingham
Letterer: Richard Starkings & Comicraft
Colorist: Steve Buccellato

Enhancements: Malibu
Editor: Bob Harras

Plot

Bastion watches footage of Generation X's encounter with Emplate at Logan airport, ordering his assistant Daria to find everything she can on Chamber. Meanwhile, Banshee throws a barbecue in the Danger Grotto to lift everyone's spirits. During the party, Emma is visited by Nightmare and Banshee receives a call from Chamber and Skin, still on their way to California. Later, Penance joins the group and Emma helps Monet deal with the recent revelation of her relationship to Emplate. Just then, Nathanial Richards arrives with this grandson Franklin. In Boston, would-be handyman Chevy is urged to go back to Xavier's School, while in California, Chamber & Skin find a willing driver. At Xavier's School, Nathanial agrees to leave Franklin at the school, where he can learn how to handle his powers in light of his parent's recent death. Franklin quickly joins Artie & Leech in play, and the trio encounter a mysterious figure near their treehouse. Elsewhere, Bastion learns Chamber flew to Boston on a ticket purchased by Frost Enterprises, and orders an investigation into the company. In California, Chamber & Skin learn they've been picked up by known other than Howard the Duck. 

X-amining Generation X #19

"Don't Wait Up..."

September 1996

In a Nutshell

Toad attacks as Emma realizes what she's done

Writer: Scott Lobdell
Penciler: Chris Bachalo
Inker: Mark Buckingham 
Letterer: RS / Comicraft / DL
Colorist: The Bucce

Enhancements: Malibu
Editor: Bob Harras

Plot

Emma calls down Monet, Paige, Jubilee, & Everett to breakfast, each dressed in a silly costume & blissfully unbothered by anything. They are watched from outside by Toad, who is trying to come up with a plan. Meanwhile, Banshee is met at the abandoned headquarters of Alpha Flight by Sasquatch, who thinks he may have a device that will help Banshee locate Emma and the kids. Back at Emma's estate, the kids are attacked by a mass of cybernetic toads sent by Toad, as Monet's subconscious, in the form of a small girl, telepathically convinces Emma that she's being subconsciously affected by Onslaught, leading her to instinctively protect her students by placating them. But she needs to release their hold on them in order to save them from Toad. Snapping out of it, Emma admonishes Toad for his actions, just as Banshee & Sasquatch arrive. Having heard the news about Onslaught, Banshee absolves Emma of any blame for kidnapping the kids, while Jubilee & Monet agree to a truce. 

X-amining Generation X #18

"For the Sake of the Children"

August 1996

In a Nutshell

Emma kidnaps half the school to keep them safe from Onslaught. 

Writer: Scott Lobdell
Penciler: Chris Bachalo
Inker: Mark Buckingham
Letterer: Richard Starkings & Comicraft 
Colorist: Steve Buccellato

Enhancements: Malibu
Editor: Bob Harras

Plot

Paige is writing a letter to her brother while aboard Emma Frost's private plane flying back to Boston. Banshee, who knows a thing or two about flying, suddenly realizes the plane isn't heading back to the school. When he points this out to Emma, she telepathically suggests he leave the plane, and he promptly flies off on his own. He lands some distance away, his head clearer, and realizes what's happened, vowing the save the kids from Emma. Meanwhile, back at the school, Chevy has taken it upon himself to begin his work as the school's handyman, while Penance watches. In the biosphere, Artie & Leech play, while a watching Mondo is told it's not time to act yet. Out on the interstate, Skin steals some food as he and Chamber continue to make their way to New York. Later, Emma's plane lands in Canada, and the kids realize they're not in Boston; they attack Emma but she takes control of their minds, making them act like docile children. Meanwhile, Banshee hacks into a computer in Montreal, trying to track the flight path of Emma's plane. Getting nowhere, he decides he's going to have to find some local help. Elsewhere, Emma and the kids arrive at a mansion where Emma intends to keep them safe for a good long while. But unbeknownst to her, Toad is watching from the shadows. 

X-amining Generation X #17

"The Skin of our Teeth"

July 1996

In a Nutshell
Chris Bachalo returns as Skin battles the X-Cutioner!

Writers: Scott Lobdell and Stan Lee
Penciler: Chris Bachalo
Inker: Mark Buckingham
Letters: Richard Starkings & Comicraft
Colors: Steve Buccellato

Enhancements: Malibu
Editor: Bob Harras

Plot

On the run from the X-Cutioner, Skin & Chamber stumble across a carnival, and Skin stashes the weakened Chamber in a pond for safe-keeping. Meanwhile, in St. Louis, Banshee is confronted by Synch's angry parents, while outside, Jubilee comforts Synch. Back at the carnival, the X-Cutioner catches up with Skin, whom he believes killed Angelo Espinosa, despite that being Skin himself. Elsewhere, Emma confronts Monet about her recent behavior, telling her it's time to come clean about all her secrets. At the carnival, Skin does his best to utilize his training as well as the trappings of the carnival to fight off the X-Cutioner, growing more confident in the use of his powers as he does so. He then retrieves Chamber, and the pair continue their journey to the X-Mansion, though neither is terribly sure how they're going to get there...

X-amining Generation X #16

"Out of Sync!"

June 1996

In a Nutshell

Generation X fights to free Synch of Emplate's control

Plot: Scott Lobdell

Script: Todd Dezago
Penciler: Tom Grummett
Inker: Al Milgrom
Letterer: Richard Starkings & Comicraft
Colorist: Team Buccellato

Enhancements: Malibu
Editor: Bob Harras

Plot

Banshee & Emma are flying to Jubilee, Paige, and Monet's aid when Emma abruptly halts Banshee's flight. She tells him if they get any close, Synch can copy their powers, making him even harder to beat; the girls are on their own. In Synch's old high school, he turns Jubilee's power on his classmates, but Paige takes the brunt of the attack as Jubilee urges him to fight Emplate's influence. Torn, he runs off. Back in Massachusetts, Skin decides to take a worsening Chamber to see Professor X. In St. Louis, Synch contemplates killing himself to save his friends, but Paige tracks him down and talks him out of it. He attacks her, causing her to shed her skin before she is ready and trapping her in a mixed form, but she manages to knock him down before collapsing from the pain. Just then, Monet confronts Synch and allows him to fully tap into her aura. When he does, he learns the truth about her, which purges him of Emplate's influence. Meanwhile, Skin & Chamber are on the road when they're attacked by the X-Cutioner, who is targeting Skin for murder. 

X-amining Generation X #15

"Death in the Family"
May 1996

In a Nutshell

Generation X travels to St. Louis to stop an Emplate-possessed Synch from harming his family. 

Plot: Scott Lobdell

Script: Todd Dezago
Penciler: Tom Grummett
Inker: Al Milgrom
Letterer: Richard Starkings & Comicraft
Colorist: Christie Scheele

Separations: Malibu Hues
Editor: Bob Harras

Plot

Under the influence of Emplate, Synch breaks into his childhood home and almost feeds on his infant foster sister, but is scared off by his parents. The next day, the police are investigating the incident when Generation X arrives. Emma uses her telepathy to freeze the cops in place, while Banshee speaks to Synch's parents, taking full responsibility for what's happened to their son. Outside, Jubilee, Paige and and Monet, the members of the class who can pass for normal most easily, are waiting for their teachers, when Monet suddenly flies off, prompting the other two girls to follow. Back at the school, Chamber talks to Skin about his encounter with Onslaught. In St. Louis, Synch has returned to his old high school, where he encounters the janitor with whom he used to be friends. Jubilee, Paige, and Monet arrive shortly thereafter and attempt to stop Synch from feeding on the janitor, but Monet realizes their mistake too late: they've gotten too close to Synch, and as he copies their powers, he tells them somebody is going to die, and it won't be him! 

X-amining Generation X #14

"Jubilee's Top Ten Reasons Why Emplate is a Loser"
April 1996

In a Nutshell

Jubilee frees Generation X and Bishop helps Monet fight off Emplate. 

Writer: Scott Lobdell
Penciler: Pascual Ferry
Inker: Mark Buckingham
Letterer: Richard Starkings & Comicraft 
Colorist: Steve Buccellato & Electric Crayon
Editor-in-Chief: Bob Harras

Plot

Jubilee continues to goad Emplate, prompting him to feed on her and absorb her powers, at which point he loses control of them on account of being so angry. The resulting explosion frees the captive Generation X, as Jubilee's plan comes to fruition. Meanwhile, Bishop and Monet work together to defeat Emplate's minions. Emplate, preparing to retreat, tries to grab Monet, but Bishop intervenes, telling Emplate he's going to die for his future crimes. Just then, Penance enters the fray, targeting Monet, but Monet doesn't resist, saying she wants to atone for her brother's sins. Meanwhile, Chamber forgives Gayle Edgerton for helping Emplate, saying nothing can change what they once meant to each other. As Bishop and Emplate fight, Emplate begins to worry, as he's growing weaker, making it harder for him to remain in this dimension. Just then, Penance turns on Emplate, slashing him from behind. Shocked at her betrayal, he phases into the extradimensional Beyond, telling Generation X they'll be too busy searching for their teammate to find him. As Generation X regroups, Banshee realizes Synch is missing, and Monet says she knows where he is. Given her brother's feelings about family, Synch has been transformed by Emplate and sent to his family, to either turn them, or kill them. 

X-amining Generation X #13

"It's All Relative"
March 1996

In a Nutshell
Monet stands alone against Emplate and his allies

Writer: Scott Lobdell
Penciler: Tom Grummett
Inker: Mark Buckingham
Letterer: Richard Starkings & Comicraft
Colorist: Steve Buccellato & Electric Crayon
Editor: Bob Harras

Plot
Though shocked to find her classmates captives of her brother, Monet is able to escape from Emplate as he turns his attention to Chamber. Though Gayle objects, saying Chamber belongs to her, Emplate has them both buried up to their necks in the ground. Meanwhile, Monet is able to get a call for help out before she's attacked by one of Emplate's minions, Bulwark. As Jubilee does her best to distract Emplate and keep him from feeding on Banshee, Monet & Bulwark's fight takes into the biosphere, where Leech is able to suppress Bulwark's power, allowing Monet to knock him out. She tells Leech & Artie to stay put, then flies off, but is attacked by Vincente. As she falls to the ground choking Bishop suddenly appears, telling Monet that she called for him, and he came.

X-amining Generation X #12

"The Return of Emplate"
February 1996

In a Nutshell
Emplate returns

Plotter: Scott Lobdell
Scripter: Todd Dezago
Penciler: Tom Grummett
Inker: Buckingham, Sellers, Morales, Milgrom & Rubinstein
Letterer: Richard Starkings & Comicraft
Colorist: Steve Buccellato & Electric Crayon
Editor: Bob Harras

Plot
Banshee brings the kids into Boston for a day of relaxation. While most everyone breaks off to do some shopping, Skin brings Chamber to a fancy restaurant where he's arranged to meet Gayle Edgerton, his ex-girlfriend. As Skin drops him off, he experiences a massive headache, then is grabbed from behind by an unseen foe. Meanwhile, Banshee confronts Monet about her catatonic spells, but she runs off, and Banshee is captured before he can follow. At the school, Emma probes Penance's mind, determined to learn her secrets, but the effort leaves her open to attack by Emplate. Back in the city, Jubilee, Husk, Mondo and Synch are having lunch when a purple gas rises out of a pot and knocks them all out before assuming a humanoid form. Elsewhere, Gayle arrives late to her lunch with Chamber and when Chamber apologizes for how he left her, she insists it's water under the bridge. But when he helps her move from her wheelchair to the table, she attacks him, draining him of his psionic energy. That night, Monet flies back to the school, but she finds her classmates and teachers all captives of Emplate and his associates, including Gayle. With Penance at his side, he greets Monet, welcoming his sister to the party!