Astonishing X-Men: Northstar #[nn]

In the chaos of a battle with the Marauders, Karma uncovers that Chimera is being manipulated by an unseen force, breaking the mental link just as the fight ends and the villains flee. Back on the team's transport, Northstar and Kyle navigate the tension in their relationship, finding common ground in their bond. But when a scarred, unknown woman appears, she swiftly takes control of Karma—turning her into a weapon against the X-Men.

In "null," the X-Men investigate an abandoned prison tied to the Marauders' recent attacks, uncovering a trail that leads to a chilling confrontation. When Northstar proposes to Kyle and is rejected, the moment takes a dark turn as Kyle is kidnapped—pulling Northstar into a trap where he must face his teammates, now under unknown control.

In "null," Northstar reflects on a past mission that brought his team to rescue Kyle, only to uncover that Karma was manipulating them from the shadows—though she slipped away. The story unfolds on the day of his wedding, where everything proceeds with quiet grace, surprising those who expected chaos. As the celebration winds down, the peace shatters when Wolverine is suddenly set upon by Karma, her presence a lingering threat in the aftermath.

In "The Walking Wounded," Northstar confronts Mr. Hyde in a brutal fight that takes a shocking turn when he discovers a baby with AIDS abandoned in a trash can. The moment forces him to confront his own past and the broader stigma surrounding the disease, leading him to make a powerful, personal announcement about his identity.