issue summaries

The New Mutants 18 Death-Hunt Writer: Chris Claremont Penciler: Bill Sienkiewicz Inker: Bill Sienkiewicz Colorist: Glynis Wein Letterer: Tom Orzechowski Editor: Ann Nocenti Editor-in-Chief: Jim Shooter Date: August 1984

This is the first appearance of Rachel Summers in the mainstream timeline and her first appearance since Uncanny X-Men 142.

Dani Moonstar (Mirage) is haunted by visions of a bear.

Earth-811 (Days of Future Past):

Xavier's School For Gifted Youngsters abruptly explodes. Inside, a younger Rachel rushes towards the Professor, trying to shield herself with a telekinetic shield, but she's not strong enough. The building is falling apart around her. She calls for the Professor, and he tells her to go downstairs to the Danger Room where she will be safe. Rachel refuses to leave without him.

Xavier replies that he must stop the slaughter. The army has surrounded the mansion, and he has telepathically convince the commander that they mean no harm and to allow them to surrender. However, Xavier is shot in the chest and is propelled backwards.

Earth-616 (regular timeline):

Rachel stands outside the school, thinking about the soldiers finding her as the only survivor in the ruins. Drugs were used to prevent her from using her powers and she was tortured in prison.

She can't believe how peaceful the place is now, and hopes that it will stay that way, if her plan works. Her past hasn't happened yet, and she intends on making sure it doesn't.

A police car drives by, and Rachel looks rather suspicious lurking outside the school. She tells the police officer that she's there to see the Professor, and has no choice but to go inside the gates.

Inside, the New Mutants (Cannonball, Magma, and Sunspot) are having a training session in the Danger Room, while Illyana, Lockheed and Dani watch on from the observation booth. The doorbell rings, and Illyana and Lockheed go to answer it.

Illyana opens the door and Rachel tells her she needs to see Professor Xavier. Ilyana apologizes. Xavier is away and should be back tomorrow. Ray asks for Illyana's name, and when she tells her, Rachel runs off, crying. Illyana asks if she wants to leave a message and who she is, but Ray doesn't reply.

Rachel is shocked the Illyana is a teenager - and around the same age as when she died in her future. She knows that something has gone horribly wrong.

In space, Warlock is being pursued by his father, Magus.

Back on Earth, Dani fights a bear in the snow, and it's revealed to be a Danger Room simulation. Illyana asks her what she's trying to prove by doing this over and over again for days. Dani lies that she's trying to work on her fighting skills without using her powers, but Illyana isn't convinced.

Illyana trusted Dani with her secrets, but Dani is reluctant to do the same. She must fight the Demon Bear on her own, since it was responsible for her parents' deaths. She thinks she's slays the bear, but it was only playing dead and strikes her down. Rahne Sinclair (Wolfsbane) is alerted through her bond with Dani. The New Mutants rush outside to find Dani laying in the snow with blood everywhere.