Covenant

*“Time to look into the abyss I think so, sister. If you're there then I won't be afraid.”*

—**Northstar and Aurora in unison**, *X-Men Annual #1*

## Covenant

### Character(s)

Northstar
Aurora
Rogue
Mystique
Frenzy

**Covenant** is an X-Men storyline written by Mike Carey, with pencils by Mark Brooks, inks by Jaime Mendoza and Victor Olazaba, and colors by John Rouch and Chris Sotomayor.

The story was first published in *X-Men Annual* #1 in 2006. It takes place almost immediately after the events of *Supernovas*, which saw the Children of the Vault resurrect and mind-control Northstar along with his twin sister Aurora.

## Story

Aboard the S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier, Rogue, Mystique, and Cable approach Maria Hill in order to borrow S.H.I.E.L.D. equipment in attempt to restore Northstar's and Aurora's minds. Rogue wants to have Cable and Emma Frost relive their whole lives from birth in order to "heal the psychic fault lines". Maria reluctantly allows them use of their V.R. equipment.

Cable immediately gets to work on the equipment, using it to have the twins experience twenty years over the span of a single day. Northstar remembers moments such as his early years as a thief, becoming a skiing champion, and saying his goodbyes to Raymonde Belmonde after refusing to come out of the closet. Aurora experiences similar flashes of her life, particularly with Sister Anne at Madame Dupont's School for Girls.

Exodus and his new team of Acolytes soon attack the helicarrier, with Exodus's telepathic assaults on the ship causing the V.R. equipment to malfunction. As Northstar remembers being manipulated by Purple Girl, the twins suddenly burst through the machine. Their eyes glowing blue, Northstar and Aurora spoke in unison as they tried to piece together where they were and what had happened to them. Rogue attempts to calm the twins, but they quickly fly past her down the halls of the helicarrier. Rogue is concerned that their rampage may lead to the deaths of S.H.I.E.L.D. agents, and orders Mystique and Cable to follow them.

While Exodus confronts Maria Hill and Cable battles Random, Rogue chases after Northstar and Aurora only to be attacked by Frenzy and Tempo. Mystique soon incapacitates Tempo, but Frenzy proves to be too strong for the shapeshifter. Nearby, Northstar and Aurora stop their running and touch their hands together, suddenly regaining their senses in a blinding flash of light. They return to Mystique and assist her against Frenzy by creating a concussive light that stuns her. Aurora is shocked to see Frenzy still standing, but Mystique takes the opportunity to kick Frenzy out of a helicarrier window, finally defeating the villain.

Northstar immediately tends to the semi-conscious Rogue. "Good to have you back," says Rogue. Northstar tells her they have her to thank for it. The X-Men regroup and confront Exodus, who planned to use S.H.I.E.L.D. technology to find mutant children born after Decimation. Exodus and the Acolytes leave the helicarrier after not finding any new mutants. Maria Hill orders the X-Men to leave the helicarrier.

As they leave, Rogue thanks Northstar for his assistance against Frenzy. Northstar tells her that Mystique is responsible for saving her, not them. Elsewhere, in Antarctica, Exodus and the Acolytes approach Mister Sinister who promises to save the mutant race.

## Featured characters

* Northstar
* Aurora
* X-Men
	+ Rogue
	+ Cable
	+ Mystique
* Acolytes
	+ Exodus
	+ Frenzy
	+ Tempo
	+ Random
* Maria Hill
* Mister Sinister
* Raymonde Belmonde (flashback only)
* Purple Girl (flashback only)
* Sister Anne (flashback only)
* Wolverine (flashback only)
* Box (flashback only)

## Collected editions

* **X-Men: Marauders** collects X-Men #188-204 and X-Men Annual #1, 480 pages, December 2018, ISBN 978-1302913779