Notice! Spoilers ahead for Uncanny X-Men #6!Tensions are high between Rogue X-Men and their new mutant recruits, as it has been heavily hinted that one of the young interns will betray them, possibly leading to the destruction of the X-Men and all mutantkind. I think this is an interesting situation for the X-Men as it leads to a lot of questions about who this “Endling” could be and how his betrayal will lead to the superheroes' downfall.
Mysterious X-Men #6 – written by Gail Simone, with art by Javier Garrón – shows Rogue pondering which Outlier the Endling could be. Throughout the series, there have been several suggestions that the Endling is Calico. Calico's powers, backstory, and interactions with villains show that she is a strong candidate to become the franchise's new apocalyptic-level villain.
I realized that Calico has undergone immense growth throughout her time with the X-Men, but with the villains at Graymalkin Prison kidnapping her, she could betray Rogue's team, willingly or unwillingly. Either way, I'm nervous for the character – and everyone around her, honestly.
One of Rogue's new X-Men is destined to betray the team – I think I know who it is
Mysterious X-Men #6 – Written by Gail Simone; Art by David Márquez; Color by Matt Wilson; Clayton Cowles lyrics
Becca Simon-Pinette, aka Calico, got significantly more page time than her teammates like she has been shown to have a complex relationship with her mutant identity and possesses immense power that rivals Juggernaut.. Calico came to Rogue's X-Men team while being pursued by Sarah Gaunt, aka the Witch, and I realized that out of the entire X-Men team, the Villains have their eyes on Calico. When Sarah Gaunt and her mind-controlled army attack Rogue and the X-men, they are instructed to select her in hopes of kidnapping her for mysterious reasons.
At the end of Mysterious X-Men #6, a militant group belonging to Corina Ellis and Graymalkin's prison capture Calico and before it is revealed that Director Ellis is weaponizing former X-Men to capture the remaining mutants roaming the world. From this, I think it's evident that Calico will be a major factor when it comes to the X-Men's inevitable battle on Graymalkin and, more pressingly, its predicted tragedy. Calico's tragic origin story will also likely play a role in her future downfall, as her early beliefs rooted in her mother tend to be prejudiced against mutants.
The X-Men's newest powerhouse is already very familiar with mutant hatred
I think Calico will become the Endling
In a flashback to Calico's childhood, it is shown that Calico's mother taught her to be prejudiced towards mutants and kept her hidden from the outside world, making her world view small and causing her to develop a hatred for mutants, referring to refer to their species as “goblins”. Although Gambit shows Calico the error of his ways, there is a likelihood that Director Ellis will manipulate or brainwash Calico into believing his old ways and attacking his former friends. I find Calico's troubling worldview, mixed with her incredibly unique and powerful abilities, make her the Endling's prime suspect.
Director Ellis has demonstrated that she is more than willing to turn her mutant prisoners into weapons, and now that Becca is in her custody, it's likely that Calico's powers will be used against her teammates.
Calico's mutant abilities not only allow her to telepathically connect with her horse, but also allow her to take on the powers of any superhero. Even if Calico isn't the Endling, which I'm sure she is, Director Ellis has demonstrated that she's more than willing to turn her mutant prisoners into weapons, and now that Becca is in her custody, it's likely that Calico's powers will be used against your teammates. More than other mutant prisoners on Graymalkin, Calico's powers make her a dangerous threat to the X-Men, and any use of her abilities will lead to catastrophic consequences.
Rogue's Newest Recruit Possibly Shares a Connection to the Franchise's Latest Villains
Could Calico be related to mutant-hating Sarah Gaunt?
Whether Calico is willing or not, I'm convinced she will betray the X-Men in some way, as even her hero name “Calico” suggests there are multiple sides to her character. With powerful villains like Sarah Gaunt held in prison alongside Calico, there's potential for Calico to receive a devastating power upgrade via brainwashing. The emphasis on Calico may be a mistake, but I find this suspicious Calico's teammates did not receive his character exploration level, making the possibility of the other Outliers becoming Endling less unlikely.
I believe Calico is the only hero who has demonstrated the potential to backstab his former teammates, considering his initial beliefs and his current situation. Calico may even have some relationship with Sarah Gaunt, as they share similarities in appearance and prejudices towards mutants; Sarah can even influence her to join her captures to fight Rogue's team. THE X-Men are scheduled to travel to Graymalkin Prison to rescue Calico, but I'm confident their reunion will be more hostile and reveal Calico as the Endling, or at least reveal that she betrayed them.
Mysterious X-Men #6 is now available from Marvel Comics!