Ghost Of A Chance plunges Kitty Pryde into a psychological mystery that forces her to question everything – her memory, her sanity, and even the trust she places in her closest friends. After a chance encounter with Danielle Moonstar, Kitty wakes up to find no trace of her new friend, leading to a creeping paranoia that only intensifies as the X-Men insist Danielle never existed at all. The audience is left in the dark alongside Kitty, unsure whether she is losing her grip on reality or uncovering something far more sinister.

Beneath the surface, the episode plays on universal teenage fears – the feeling of being invisible, misunderstood, or dismissed. Kitty’s desperation for validation mirrors the emotional isolation many teens experience, making her journey profoundly relatable. Even when she finally proves herself right, the moment is bittersweet, as there is no one there to affirm her triumph.

In an ironic twist, Danielle – the one truly isolated, physically removed from society in her Reservation community – ends up being the person who reaches out to Kitty in her own moment of emotional solitude. Their connection transcends distance, proving that loneliness isn’t always defined by where you are, but by who is willing to see you.

During a dirt bike trip with the X-Men, Kitty Pryde encounters Danielle Moonstar, a young mutant living in isolation. The two quickly bond, but when Kitty wakes up the next morning, she finds no trace of Danielle – leading her to question whether their meeting was real or just a dream. As the day unfolds, Kitty begins experiencing vivid visions of Danielle trapped in a cave, desperately calling for help.

Determined to uncover the truth, Kitty investigates, but her teammates remain sceptical. Even Professor Xavier, who searches for Danielle telepathically, finds no evidence of her existence. Despite this, Kitty refuses to ignore the overwhelming feeling that Danielle is in danger. As the visions intensify, she pieces together clues that lead her back to the place where they first met.

Kitty’s instincts prove correct when she discovers Danielle trapped beneath a rockslide, barely surviving after days without food or water. Using her phasing ability, she frees Danielle just as the X-Men arrive, finally realizing that Kitty’s connection to her was real all along. Danielle’s mutant power – projecting her thoughts and fears into others’ minds – had unknowingly reached Kitty, allowing her to call for help despite being physically trapped.

With Danielle rescued, Xavier offers her a place at the Institute, but she chooses to return home, hoping to rebuild her life with the grandfather who loves her. Kitty, having trusted her instincts against all doubt, gains a newfound confidence in herself and her abilities.

As in her first appearance in Marvel Graphic Novel #4, Danielle lives on the Reservation with her grandfather Black Eagle. His death in the comics is what prompted Dani to join the team after initially refusing.

When Danielle apparently causes nightmares in the X-Men, Storm’s nightmare is of her own personal space crushing her by shrinking in – a reference to her claustrophobia. This was also her particular nightmare when facing the Shadow King in X-Men‘s Xavier Remembers. The sequence where the nightmares occur is remarkably similar.

The choker that Danielle wears in this episode is the same design as the belt she insisted be part of her uniform in the comics.

 Danielle makes her first and only appearance in animation, and indeed onscreen, until The New Mutants. With Dani’s appearance, only poor Doug Ramsey from the original line-up has yet to be adapted somewhere.

The psychic link between Dani and Kitty in this episode is similar to the one Dani’s comic counterpart has with Rahne Sinclair, aka Wolfsbane.

MIRAGE RISING

Danielle Moonstar, also known as Mirage, has been a cornerstone of New Mutants lore since her debut in Marvel Graphic Novel #4: The New Mutants, created by Chris Claremont and Bob McLeod. As one of the original members of the team, Dani quickly became a fan favourite, not only for her compelling character arc but also for her representation as a Cheyenne Native American – a rarity in mainstream superhero comics.

Dani’s mutant ability allows her to create illusions based on people’s deepest fears or desires, a power that initially alienated her from those around her. Her early stories explored themes of identity, loss, and cultural heritage, particularly through The Demon Bear Saga, where she confronted a supernatural entity tied to her past. Over time, her abilities evolved, and she became a Valkyrie, gaining the ability to sense impending death and wield Asgardian power. Despite losing her mutant abilities during Decimation, she remained a formidable warrior, later regaining her powers and continuing to mentor younger mutants.

Her journey has taken her through various teams, including X-Force, Young X-Men, and Fearless Defenders, but she has always remained deeply connected to the New Mutants. Unlike many characters whose cultural backgrounds are often side lined, Dani’s Cheyenne heritage has been an integral part of her story. Her connection to her ancestors, spiritual beliefs, and struggles with identity have been explored in ways that few Indigenous characters in comics have experienced.

Despite this, Native American representation in comics remains limited, and Dani is one of the few Indigenous superheroes to receive consistent attention. While her portrayal has generally been respectful, there have been moments where her heritage was used more as a narrative device than a fully realized aspect of her character. However, recent stories have made efforts to deepen her cultural representation, ensuring that her identity is not just a background detail but a fundamental part of who she is.

Dani’s legacy continues to grow, with her role in The New Mutants movie reaffirming her importance in mutant history. As one of Marvel’s most enduring Indigenous characters, she stands as a testament to the need for more diverse and authentic representation in superhero storytelling.

Cajun Spice | Ascension (Part 1)