3 Years Later, Kate Pryde Showed Everyone Shadowkat Is More Dangerous Than Wolverine

Orchis Attacks Krakoa

At Krakoa’s final Hellfire Gala, Orchis launched an effort to eliminate mutants. Its attack began with the killing of the newly elected X-Men team, which included Juggernaut, Dazzler, Synch, Talon, Cannonball, Prodigy, Frenzy and Jubilee.

As the battle continued, Charles Xavier ordered the X-Men to stand down, nearly leading them and other mutants to their deaths. The Red Triangle Protocol helped protect the team from psychic attacks, and a mutant teleporter moved a group of heroes away from Krakoa.

Kate Faces Orchis Soldiers

Kate Pryde, who was going by Kate at the time, fell through a Krakoan gate despite being unable to use those doors. She landed on a roof surrounded by Orchis soldiers and warned them to surrender, promising better treatment than mutants had received.

The soldiers laughed at her offer. When one said she would die begging, Kate answered, “You’re worried about the wrong teacher,” and told him to greet Ogun in Hell. Ogun had taught both Wolverine and Kate, and had inhabited Kate’s body.

A Costly Victory

Kate used Ogun’s training to kill every Orchis soldier without being struck. The fight’s outcome was not the most startling part: Kate, who was usually against murder, believed killing them was necessary.

Afterward, she fell to her knees and cried. She understood the weight of what she had done and felt that part of herself had died with the soldiers.

Shadowkat Changes Course

Kate later wore Ogun’s style, carried two swords and took a more severe approach. With the mutant crisis at its worst, she believed she could no longer lead with the optimism she had shown as head of the Marauders.

Shadowkat focused on acting with cold precision, and Kate thought Charles Xavier would need to die after the X-Men saved the world. She eventually reconsidered, set limits on her actions and told Logan she would leave the X-Men if they survived.

Kate Returns To Herself

The X-Men saved the day, and Kate returned to her usual, happier self. Her ordeal nevertheless showed how far she could go when pushed too far. Kate’s skill and resolve made her a formidable opponent, even compared with Wolverine. The experience also left her confronting the personal cost of becoming Shadowkat.