all time; before she dies, she warns them to kill Victor before he becomes to powerful. At the same time, a group of former teenage superheroes (called "Excelsior") are promised a $1,000,000 grant from a mysterious benefactor if they successfully detain the Runaways. The Runaways subdue Victor Mancha, and are later shocked to discover that Victor is a cyborg created by the killing machine, Ultron. With the help of Excelsior, the Runaways defeat Ultron, and Victor joins them, having nowhere else to go. After the battle with Ultron, Excelsior discovers its benefactor is Rick Jones. The story arc ends with a vivid shock: Chamber of Excelsior turns out to be a fraud, and is implied to be a resurrected Alex Wilder. Star-Crossed Originally published in: Runaways #7-8 (August 2005 - September 2005) Creators: writer Brian K. Vaughan, guest-artist Takeshi Miyazawa Guest appearances: Swarm Karolina outs herself as a lesbian, and reveals she harbors romantic feelings for Nico, but Nico turns down Karolina's advances. As Karolina attempts to cope with the rejection, a Skrull named Xavin lands in Los Angeles and tells Karolina that he is her fiancée, due to an agreement between both their parents. Xavin informs Karolina of the fifteen-year-long war between their races, and insists that their marriage is the only way to enforce peace. Although Karolina initially declines (on the basis that she is homosexual), Xavin shape-shifts into a female form. Karolina, finally agreeing, leaves her friends behind and departs with Xavin. East Coast/West Coast Originally published in: Runaways #9-12 (October 2005 - January 2006) Creators: writer Brian K. Vaughan, artist Adrian Alphona Guest appearances: The New Avengers (Captain America, Spider-Man, Wolverine, Iron Man, Luke Cage, Spider-Woman, She-Hulk), Cloak and Dagger Cloak, whose memories of the Runaways are restored, convinces the Runaways to travel with him to New York City and help solve a crime: someone posing as Cloak has used Mutant Growth Hormone to attack Dagger. When Chase and Nico end up in a dangerous situation with a drug dealer, Chase bluffs his way out. A relieved Nico kisses Chase - who outright rejects her by saying Gert is his girlfriend, and the only thing keeping him "good". Gert and Victor run into Spider-Man, but Nico knocks him out because Spider-Man is an adult and an Avenger. Meanwhile, after Wolverine scares Molly she punches him through a building. In the end, the Runaways defeat Dagger's attacker,