Issue Date: November 2005 

Story Title: Star-Crossed part 2

Staff: Brian K. Vaughan (writer), Takeshi Miyazawa (penciler), Craig Yeung (inker), Udon’s Christina Strain (colorist), James Taveras (production), Virtual Calligraphy’s Randy Gentile (letterer), Chris Bachalo with Tim Townsend (cover artist), Nathan Cosby (assistant editor), Mackenzie Cadenhead (editor), Joe Quesada (editor in chief), Dan Buckley (publisher) with thanks to C.B. Cebuslki and Stan Lee

Runaways created by Vaughan & Alphona

Brief Description:
Karolina is surprised to hear the Skrull inform her that he is her fiance. He explains that he is a Super Skrull in training. The others aren't impressed by his arrival, and both Victor and Molly take a pop at him. Being a trainee Super Skrull, he manages to subdue them both before Karolina calls a halt to the violence. Xavin is stopped anyway, as the Leapfrog arrives and lands on him. The runaways climb aboard and take off, but Xavin pursues them in his ship which appears to have enough firepower to bring them down. He forces them to land on the Capitol Building in Hollywood. There, he explains exactly why he is there, informing Karolina that her parent's set up their marriage as part of a deal in which they saved the Earth from extermination. Karolina tells Xavin that she can't marry him; not because of the doubts that Nico has expressed, but because she likes girls. Xavin transforms into a beautiful woman and explains that for Skrulls, gender changing is like changing hair color. Karolina is overwhelmed. She decides to take the trip with Xavin in order to try and bring peace to his quadrant, and she says her goodbyes to the runaways. Nico doesn't want her to leave more than most, but Karolina persuades her that it's for the best. She leaves with Xavin, and then sends the team a message, asking them not to be sad for her. She loves them very much, and they should keep on running.

Full synopsis:
Karolina is more than a little shocked at hearing that an alien claims he is her fiance. She asks him what he is. He explains that he is called Xavin. He is a Skrull from the planet Tarnax VII. He notices her looking at a ball of flame that he manipulates in his right hand, and adds that he's a Super Skrull, or at least he will be when his training is complete. Right now he can only control one cosmic element at a time, but he's getting better every day. "What the %^#* are you talking about?" exclaims Karolina. The Skrull asks if his English is that bad. He knows Super Skrull sounds sort of pompous in her language, but he swears that the Skrullos translation is way less stuck up. Anyway, he promises to take Karolina to a really good language tutor after their honeymoon. "Get away from me you freak!" replies Karolina. The Skrull's face turns to a grimace. "Ewe'fareek is my uncle Karolina. My name is Xavin.

He extends his arm like Mr. Fantastic and grabs Karolina around the waist. Vic orders 'Mr. Less-than-fantastic' to put her down. Molly thinks he's stretching more than the Skrull. Xavin recognizes from his voice that Victor is an android. He believes that machines exist to cook and clean, not crack wise. Vic replies that the only thing he's gonna clean is his clock. He blasts Xavin with electrical energy, but Xavin remains standing, protected by an invisible force field. He then encases Victor in a bubble and raises him into the air. Karolina asks him to let Vic go, but he tells her not to worry about her toys. He can always buy her new ones. He lets Victor go, and he drops to the ground with a thump. Molly is angry, and her eyes begin to glow violet. She takes a run at Xavin and kicks him squarely in the happy sacks. He grimaces in pain. "Little one. That was... unwise." He forms his arm into the Thing's and smashes Molly into a nearby crate.

Karolina begs him to stop it. These people are her friends. Xavin transforms back into the form he arrived in, surprised that Karolina's parents allow her to have friends. Before he can enquire further, the Leapfrog arrves and lands on him, rendering him semi-conscious. The hatch opens to reveal Gert and Old Lace. "Ribbit," she jokes. Chase is piloting the vehicle, and he tells the others to climb aboard. They have some po-po incoming. Gert asks Karolina if Xavin is one of Swarm's henchmen, but she replies that he's an extraterrestrial like her. He said they were engaged. It sounds like her parents set up some kind of arranged marriage. Gert figures that even when they're dead they still find ways to make them suffer. Everyone climbs into the Leapfrog, with Vic carrying Molly. It takes off into the night sky, leaving a dazed Xavin to face three police officers who have arrived at the scene. They order him to raise his hands where they can see them. Xavin does as he is told, but then turns invisible, slipping away with ease. "This is why I left New York," mutters one of the cops as he scratches his head.

As the Leapfrog shoots over Los Angeles, Chase and Gert discuss what's happened. Chase asks if she has to marry the homeboy from outer space. Gert replies that she doesn't have to do anything. This is the twenty-first century. Before she can continue, the Leapfrog's alarm sounds, and it informs them that a pursuing ship has them on missile lock. "Fah!" exclaims Chase, "Who said that?" The ship replies that it did. "Leapfrog? You can talk?" he asks. It replies that it can speak in roughly five thousand languages, and calls him master. Chase likes that bit. Gert asks Chase if he missed the part about the missile. Leapfrog asks them to standby, as the enemy craft is opening a hailing frequency. Behind them, Xavin pilots his craft and speaks to the Leapfrog's occupants. He informs Karolina that their cloaking is worthless against his ship's scanners. He orders her to set down their vehicle or he'll have to blow them out of the sky. Molly yawns as she awakens, asking what she's missed. Vic reckons he's bluffing. He wouldn't hurt his fiance. "He's just..." The words don't escape his lips as an explosion goes off right in front of the fleeing Leapfrog. Xavin informs them that it was a warning - the next one won't be. Xavin then says that he just wants to talk to Karolina. She tells him that she's there, so he should just talk. Xavin means that he wishes to talk face to face. He asks her to meet him on the roof of the cylindrical structure near Hollywood and Vine.

Nico reckons they should screw that. They should turn on the afterburners and outrun him. Karolina wonders if maybe she should hear him out. Nico says no way. The don't negotiate. Xavin informs her that she can leave him if she must, but do, and everyone on the planet will die. Moments later, the Leapfrog lands on the Capitol Building where the runaways are joined by Xavin. He asks Karolina if they can have a moment alone. She replies that whatever he can say to her, he can say in front of them. Gert tells him to feel free to turn green and scaly, but warns him that it doesn't exactly scare them. Old Lace growls, as if to make a point.

Xavin shows a lighter side this time. He first apologizes for his outburst. Their customs are unfamiliar to him. He explains that he hails from a distant outpost world of the Skrull Empire. Fifteen years ago, his father, De'Zean, led an invasion against Earth. He was stopped by Mr. and Mrs. Dean. "My parents... how?" asks Karolina, bemused. He replies that in exchange for sparing their adopted home, the Dean's revealed the coordinates of a much more valuable target - Majesdene. It was her parent's birth planet which had exiled them for criminal activities decades ago. His father had been looking to plunder that mythical world for years, and her parents divulged that it was hidden beneath the corona of a white dwarf. Karolina is amazed. "My mom and dad lived in a star?" Xavin continues to explain that as assurance that the coordinates Leslie and Frank Dean provided were real, they offered his parents their only child's hand in marriage.

Nico is a little agitated, and annoyed that he's now shown up to collect on their folks' sick agreement. Xavin replies that his folks are dead. They were both killed in the bloody war that's been raging between Tarnax VII and Majesdene for the last fifteen years. Xavin turns back to Karolina, and admits that he's beginning to suspect that her family never thought he would live long enough to return for her. By sending his father's army to the world that had betrayed them, they must have imagined that both planets would end up annihilating each other, which they very nearly have. Nico asks if it's the case that, if his old man was some royal leader, isn't he now in charge? Can't he stop the fighting? Xavin tells her that he could surrender he Imperial Skrull army, but there's no guarantee that the Majesdene Light Brigade wouldn't murder his troops once they laid down their arms.

Vic cuts in, and reminds Xavin that they attacked the Majesdene people first. Why should they care if Karolina's peeps wipe out his evil empire? Xavin explains that if the Skrulls are defeated, the Majesdanians will more than likely target the Earth as retalliation for their planet's role in starting the war. Karolina thinks that is insane. Xavin agrees with her, adding that it is a mindless conflict fought between the adults of two worlds. However, there are youths on both sides who have known nothing but bloodshed their entire lives. They are eager for an end to the war. By returning with Karolina as his Majesdanian bride, his hope is that they can unite their people and bring peace to the quadrant. He lowers himself to one knee and looks up at the startled Karolina. "I implore you, magnificent one... will you marry me?"

Molly smiles, and asks Nico if that means Karolina will become a princess. Nico's less impressed and replies that it means she's gonna be a hostage. She tells Karolina that this is stupid. She thinks Xavin is just trying to use her as a human shield, because he knows her people won't risk hurting one of their own. Xavin assures her that isn't true. Karolina informs him that Nico is right. She can't marry him, but not because she doesn't believe him. She lowers her eyes a little and whispers. "I... I like girls. Chase is amazed at this revelation, but Gert kinda knew all along.

Xavin asks if that's all that is stopping her. Skrulls are shapeshifters. For them, gender changing is no different than changing hair color. He transforms himself into a beautiful woman, and Karolina's eyes nearly pop out of her head. Xavin takes her hand and tells her that she doesn't have to say anything yet, but at least she should take a trip with her. She wants to show Karolina that all the things she's saying are true. Karolina, offers the reader a quick glance, and then replies, "Okay." Nico tells her she can't, but Karolina says that she has to do this. People are dying. Nico reminds her that it's not her fault, but Karolina replies that it's her mom and dad's fault. She thought the whole point of their group was trying to make up for their parent's mistakes. She asks Nico not to make this harder than it already is. She goes over to Molly and rubs her head, asking her to be strong for the others. Molly asks if she'll send postcards. Xavin explains that years ago, Skrull field agents came to Earth and erected a transmission tower, which she's standing next to, in order to receive communications from her father. Karolina can use it to send interstellar missives to them as the solar flares permit. Karolina gives Old Lace a cuddle and asks her to look after Gert and not to take Chase for granted.

Gert tells Karolina that, when they first met, she thought she was some spoiled hippie chick. It's one of the two times in her life the's been wrong about something. Chase is still reeling from the news that Karolina is gay to say anything constructive. Karolina wishes Victor farewell; sorry for not knowing him better. He thanks her for making him feel like he's not the weirdest thing in the universe. He also reminds her significant other to be cool to his 'bots. Karolina then approaches Nico, but Nico doesn't want to say goodbye. She doesn't want Karolina to leave her. Karolina hands over her bracelet, explaining that where she's going, she won't need to hide her true form. She can finally stop pretending to be something she's not. They hug, and tears pour from Nico's eyes. With that, Karolina enters Xavin's ship, offers a final glance backwards, and disappears into space. As soon as the ship is out of sight, Nico asks Chase for his knife so that she can cut herself. She thinks she can produce a retrieval spell to bring Karolina back. Before he can respond, Vic notices the tower beside them flashing. He asks Leapfrog to tell them what the signal says. 'Please... don't... be... sad... for... me. stop. I... love... you... all... very... much. stop. Keep... running.'

'stop.'

Characters:
Karolina Dean, Molly Hayes, Victor Mancha, Nico Minoru, Chase Stein, Gertrude Yorkes (all Runaways)
Old Lace

Xavin

Police Officers
Innocent bystanders

Notes:
Karolina definitely appears to break the fourth wall with a knowing glance to the reader when she sees Xavin in her female form.