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In Way of X, Nightcrawler just encountered a surprisingly new important figure during the Hellfire Gala, and they could become a crucial new ally.
WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Way of X #3 by Si Spurrier, Bob Quinn, Java Tartaglia & VC’s Clayton Cowles
In the aftermath of the Hellfire Gala, many of the X-Men and their allies are dealing with the fallout of the event including a very hungover Nightcrawler, who spent the event getting far too drunk for his own good. Embarrassed by his behavior at the event, Nightcrawler rededicates himself to spreading the three laws of Krakoa in Way of X #3, starting with “Make More Mutants.”
Upon seeing someone handing out contraceptives, Nightcrawler confronts them and realizes that she’s Stacy X, who has a pretty strong series of points to make about his intentions.
Introduced in 2001’s Uncanny X-Men #399 by Joe Casey and Tom Raney, Stacy X is a relatively obscure figure in X-Men history. Born Miranda Leevald, Miranda’s mutation had two effects on her: she developed snake-like scales across her entire body and has complete control over her pheromones, making her capable of enhancing the physical reactions of anyone around her. Briefly working under the command of Madame Drache at a mutant brothel called the X-Ranch, Stacy X survived an attack by the Church of Humanity and joined the X-Men. Although she was attracted to Angel and Nightcrawler, she ultimately didn’t act on either and left the team. She was one of the many mutants who lose their powers due to the events of Decimation, briefly becoming the new Ripcord as a member of the New Warriors.
One of Stacy X’s last prominent appearances was as the head of a support group for mutants, and it appears that Stacy is still dedicated to helping other mutants. She reveals to Nightcrawler that on top of getting her powers back, she’s effectively ended up as the head of the Bower. Considered a safe space for unsure and lonely mutants to meet someone and make a connection, Stacy uses her powers to amplify their inherent attractions and desires so they can make a connection with someone in whatever way they feel comfortable. Offended when Nightcrawler compares it to a brothel, Stacy reveals the Bower is also effectively the Krakoan Orphanage, with the young woman rounding up all the abandoned infant mutant infants who have been left on the island.
Stacy makes the point that mutants are still people and that procreation is inevitable. As she says, the important thing is for Krakoa to embrace empathy and connection, and she reveals that the new mutant Lost has been helping Stacy care for the young orphans. When later finding Nightcrawler and his allies at the Green Lagoon, she speaks with them about the importance of connections at the heart of the mutant experience. Although their personal views may differ, Nightcrawler had been wrestling with the same questions as of late and may have found someone who can truly help him realize those ideals. The Bower could become a crucial part of the mutant religion that Nightcrawler is trying to decipher, and Stacy’s role as a figurehead there could allow her input into the growing culture at the heart of Krakoa.
Even just as the surprise matron of the mutant orphans, Stacy is going to be an important figure in the future of Krakoa. She even mentions the idea of a mutant adoption agency, which could end up helping bridge the gap between the current generations of mutants and the newborns that have ended up under her care. Stacy could set herself up naturally as one of Nightcrawler’s most important allies, a stern but loving voice of reason to cut through his intentions and ambitions, keeping him grounded, something Stacy X has plenty of experience with.
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