The Mask Behind The Facade

• Writer - Fabian Nicieza
• Penciler - Andy Kubert
• Inker - Mark Pennington
• Lettering - Bill Oakley
• Colorist - Joe Rosas
• Editor - Bob Harras
• Editor in Chief - Tom Defalco

Summary

  Remy offers to retreat; the Samurai insists he wants the women; Remy throws cards; the Samurai throws his sword and hits the portrait of Kwannon. Betsy and Kwannon use both their blades and take the Samurai down. Remy finds a scroll behind the portrait: Nyoirin's diary.

  Shinobi is late to the crime lord summit; Tatsuo throws him down for his insolence, and he apologizes.

  Scott explains to his grandparents that he sent Nathan Christopher into the future, and that he may have become Stryfe (see X-Factor 86), and that he needs to talk to someone about it. A neighbor knocks on the door: Mike Milbury.

  Kwannon can read Japanese, which Betsy says proves she's not her. Kwannon, desperate for answers, stabs Betsy with her psychic katana, but she resists the mind-link. They learn that Kwannon went out for a routine murder, disappeared, and wound up in Hong Kong (UXM 256). She found Betsy unconscious, newly emerged from the Siege Perilous, and touches her. Their minds fused together; Kwannon's body ran into Matsu'o, while Nyoirin recovered Betsy's. Kwannon (in Betsy's body) insists she is real and Betsy is a plant.

  Gamesmaster visits Shinobi and Matsu'o and reasserts his authority over all their games.

  Betsy attacks Kwannon, but Remy stops her. Nyoirin enters, saying they are both Betsy and Kwannon.

  Scott goes to help Milbury with a fallen tree; he reveals himself to be Sinister and asks Scott to ally with him, on pain of death.