Soul-Drinker (First appearance)
The Imperial Guard (First appearance)
Gladiator (First appearance)
Astra (First appearance)
Electron (First appearance)
Previous Fang Next (First appearance)
Hobgoblin (First appearance)
Impulse (First appearance)
Magic (First appearance)
Mentor (First appearance)
Nightside (First appearance)
Oracle (First appearance)
Quasar (First appearance)
Smasher (First appearance)
Starbolt (First appearance)
Tempest (First appearance)
Titan (First appearance)
Midget (First appearance)
After being transported through a star-gate by Phoenix[2], the X-Men find themselves on an ancient planet that is home to the M'Kraan Crystal, surrounded by several members of the Shi’ar Imperial Guard serving the evil Emperor D’Ken. When Cyclops announces that they are there for Lilandra, an enormous battle commences between the two sides. Despite the number of Imperial Guardsmen, the two teams are evenly matched.
When Lilandra is saved from The Soul Drinker unleashed on her by D’Ken, she reveals that he plans to use the M’Kraan Crystal to gain power absolute and that is why she escaped to Earth, having learned of Professor Xavier when he used his mental powers to thwart an alien invasion by the Z'Nox[3]. The tide of the battle is turned by the arrival of the Starjammers, a group of interstellar pirates who aid the X-Men against the Guardsmen. Jean mind-probes their leader Corsair, and is shocked to learn what she finds there, finding it impossible to consider.

Suddenly the M’Kraan Crystal powers up and reality for a fraction of a second ceases to exist. On Earth Peter Corbeau warns the Fantastic Four that should the cosmic blinks continue, the universe will die.

This story is continued next issue...

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