issue summaries

Uncanny X-Men 485 The Rise & Fall of the Shi'Ar Empire Part 11 of 12: The End of All That Is Writer: Ed Brubaker Penciler: Billy Tan Inker: Danny Miki and Allen Martinez Colorist: Frank D'Armata Letterer: Joe Caramagna Assist. Editors: Sean Ryan and Will Panzo Editors: Nick Lowe Editor-in-Chief: Joe Quesada Date: June 2007

Several days after the previous issue, on a monitor, a message to the Shi'ar fleet from Major-General Ka’ardum is playing. Behind him stands Lilandra and handful of Shi'ar soldiers. The General tells all Shi'ar soldiers to join him and Lilandra Neramani and not allow the atrocities to be tolerated. Soldiers can either join them or perish.

As the message continues to play, D’Ken asks Chancellor Araki if it can be stopped. Araki replies that it can't. After three days, a third of the Shi'ar fleet has defected to Lilandra’s side. D’Ken thinks that’s insignificant. They have 2 times the forces Lilandra has plus the Imperial Guard. He has also chosen the battleground and it is a place his sister cannot resist.

Leaving, D’Ken tells him he has a royal wedding to perform. He adds that before the day is over, his enemies will be dead.

In front of the M’Kraan Crystal, D’Ken’s Shi'ar soldiers stand ready, along with the Gladiator of the Imperial Guard, and warships fly around in the background.

On board the Starjammer, Lilandra, Major-General Ka’ardum, Corsair, Havok and Nightcrawler discuss their plans.

Ka’ardum is upset that Lilandra is asking him to throw away his troops lives walking into a trap. Lilandra replies that they don't have any choice. Ka’ardum questions if she would risk everything for an Earthling, but Lilandra explains that that isn't it. Corsair agrees with Lilandra. D’Ken is at the M’Kraan Crystal for a reason. Kurt asks if they can risk having the power to wipe out everything in the hands of a madman. Unconvinced, Ka’ardum replies that it’s a fool’s errand.

At the M’Kraan Crystal, D’Ken asks Gladiator if he has accomplished his task. Gladiator replies that he has spoken to the guardian of the M’Kraan Crystal and they have reached an accord as long as they do not enter. D’Ken tells him that he never wants to touch the inside of that world again and only Xavier will be facing that.

Vulcan asks if throwing Xavier into the crystal will kill him. D’Ken replies that Vulcan doesn't want to know what horrors are in store for Xavier and that Vulcan’s wedding night will be filled with the Xavier’s screams.

D’Ken tell him it’s time for the wedding and asks where Vulcan’s witness (Darwin) is. Vulcan speculates that Darwin is saying goodbye to Xavier or trying to save him. But he won't be able to since this will be his great day.

In Xavier’s prison cell, a barely conscious Xavier is laying chained on the floor. Darwin, with binders on his hands and neck that prevent him from using his powers, tries to rouse him. Xavier questions where they are. Darwin tells him they are at the M’Kraan Crystal and he needs his help. Xavier stammers that he is in no shape to help. Darwin explains that they intend on killing Xavier, but Xavier realizes it’s a trap for Lilandra. He tells Darwin to leave him and not let Lilandra die trying to save him. But Darwin argues that he has to.

Two guards enter and drag Xavier out to the ceremony. Darwin tries to stop them, but the guards push him back and activate the energy binders on him, causing him to shout in pain. One of the guards pushes Darwin to the ground with his foot and puts his sword to Darwin’s throat. He tells him if Vulcan hadn't ordered them to treat Darwin as his friend, he would kill him. As Xavier is drug out, the guard tells Darwin to get to the ceremony.

Onboard a ship, Hepzibah, Lilandra and Warpath watch a video broadcast of the wedding. Warpath can't believe that Deathbird and Vulcan are being treated like Prince Charles & Lady Diana‘s wedding.. Hepzibah comments that this must be agony for Corsair to see his son marrying Deathbird.

At the M’Kraan Crystal, the wedding ceremony continues, and the broadcast shows Xavier chained. Lilandra is afraid they are too late to save him, but Kurt insists that they must have faith that they can save him and save her throne.

As they make the jump, Kurt crosses himself and says a prayer.

Vulcan kisses his bride as the ceremony ends. Araki looks up and sees ships approaching. D'Ken orders his troops to prepare for battle, and Vulcan is upset that he hasn't completed his plans for Xavier.

The X-Men and Starjammers are beamed down to the surface in two groups and are immediately attacked by the Imperial Guard and D'Ken forces. Kurt immediately teleports.

Lilandra and Ka’ardum are beamed own, along with their own soldiers with heavy weaponry.

D'Ken insect like vehicles head towards them. Rachel shouts to Korvus to keep them busy to give Kurt more time. He tells her to watch out for Gladiator.

Lorna blasts Gladiator, trying to contain him.

Kurt reappears next to Xavier. Darwin shouts to Xavier, attracting the attention of Vulcan. Vulcan sends a powerful energy blast at Xavier and Kurt, knocking both of them out. It seems like Xavier's legs may be seriously injured. Vulcan picks up Xavier by his handcuffs and says that Xavier will pay. Darwin leaps at him, telling him he's better than this. Vulcan fires optic blasts at Darwin.

Lilandra watches on in horror and runs towards Xavier. Telekinetically, Rachel stops her.

D’Ken orders the Imperial Guard to bring Lilandra to him. Gladiator bursts free of the metal that Lorna had encased him in. He charges at Korvus, then punches Rachel (this is the last panel Rachel appears in in the issue).

Gladiator holds Lilandra back as Vulcan throws Xavier into the M’Kraan Crystal, telling him that he’s now trapping him in a rock. Corsair can't believe that his son has been turned into a monster. Darwin jumps in after Xavier.

As Alex and Lorna fend off Shi'ar soldiers, Alex tells Lorna that they have to take Vulcan out.

Meanwhile, Corsair tells Ch’od to clear a path so he can get to Vulcan. Warpath yells that Darwin and Xavier are lost and they should concentrate on saving Lilandra.

D’Ken holds up Lilandra by her throat, and ponders whether to kill her then or let her watch his final victory.

Vulcan comes up behind D’Ken and blasts him, saying his victory and calling D’Ken a mother killing bastard. Vulcan rages that he could never forget what D’Ken did to him as he continues to blast D’Ken with energy until he is nothing but a skeleton.

In the middle of fighting, the Hepzibah and Raza watch on and Hepzibah says, "Crazy boy kill Emperor?".

Deathbird rushes over to Vulcan, shouting that she trusted him. Vulcan explains that he knows she didn't want to rule and now she won't have to.

Vulcan picks up D’Ken’s mask and declares himself Shi'ar Emperor.