Cerebra's Files: Age of Apocalypse
Cheney, Lila
Affiliation: X-Ternals
Alternate-X Versions: (616)
Codename Etymology: First name pronounced lī'lə [From Leela: "play"].
Powers & History: Lila Cheney was a rock star before Apocalypse took over North America. She eventually became the human liaison with the X-Ternals and even developed a relationship with their leader Gambit. This caused a minor rift between Gambit and fellow X-Ternal Carosella, who also had feelings for Lila. Little did Lila know that she was a mutant herself with long-dormant powers that were an essential part of Magneto’s master plan to restore the timeline. With the help of Magneto and Doctor Peter Corbeau, Lila unlocked her powers and transported the X-Ternals and herself across the galaxy. Unfortunately, she did not have time to properly understand her powers and had difficulty activating them again. This resulted in them being captured by the Starjammers, who enlisted them to help save the universe.
The Starjammers took the Lila and the X-Ternals to the Shi’ar home world to stop the M’Kraan Crystal from destroying the universe. Upon their arrival, Lila was sucked into the heart of the M’Kraan Crystal but was rescued by Gambit. Then, in gratitude for Sunspot sacrificing himself for them, a determined Lila reactivated her powers and transported the X-Ternals back to the tunnels below New York City.
The X-Ternals were then attacked by Rictor who was trying to apprehend them as a favor to Apocalypse. Lila and Gambit acted as bait for Rictor to allow Carosella and Jubilee to get the M’Kraan Crystal shard to Magneto. However, Carosella betrayed the X-Ternals and planned to deliver the crystal to Apocalypse. Rictor then appeared and attempted to bury Lila in rubble. Gambit was forced to either save Lila’s life or go after Carosella and take back the crystal. Gambit chose to save Lila’s life and the two embraced.
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