If you watched the classic 90s cartoon X-Men: The Animated Series, you probably remember that glowing, mysterious figure ruling over the Louisiana bayou known simply as “The X-Ternal.” Well, her name is Candra, she has an interesting history that spans thousands of years. Her story involves street thieves, godhood and…a love affair with Apocalypse?!
Love, Power, and Betrayal
Back in 3,000 B.C.E., Candra was a court member to the time-traveling Egyptian Pharaoh Rama-Tut. When the powerful mutant En Sabah Nur (who would later transform into Apocalypse) attacked Rama-Tut’s stronghold, the Pharaoh jumped into his time craft and ditched Ancient Egypt. Candra survived the destruction of the city and managed to stick around.
She played her cards carefully. Candra manipulated Apocalypse into falling in love with her. He transferred a portion of his massive power into a specialized gem, effectively granting her true immortality and vast abilities.
But Candra wasn’t looking for romance. Out of revenge for the destruction of her homeland, she betrayed Apocalypse and abandoned him. For thousands of years, Apocalypse would never forgive or forget Candra’s betrayal.
Broker of the Bayou
Fast forward a few thousand years to 1990s Louisiana. Candra re-emerged as a demigod-like figure calling herself the X-Ternal. For three centuries, she secretly pulled the strings between two rival factions based in New Orleans’: the Thieves Guild and the Assassins Guild.
Every ten years, both guilds had to offer her a proper tribute or a tithe. In return, she boosted their abilities and kept a delicate balance of power in the bayou. But her mercy had limits. A decade earlier, the Thieves Guild’s chosen representative failed to deliver their offering. An incensed Candra wiped him out on the spot followed by a warning that another failure would mean the destruction of the Louisiana branch of the Thieves Guild.
When the next ten-year deadline rolled around, the Assassins Guild decided to play dirty. They kidnapped Gambit’s brother Bobby LeBeau and intercepted the Thieves’ tithe. Even though Bobby made it back to his clan in time, the Assassins swapped out the real offering for a fake one.
When Candra opened the container and found the false tribute, she wasted no time in following through on her threat to wipe the Thieves Guild off the map. Fortunately, Jean Grey stepped in and used her telepathic powers to expose the Assassins’ plan. Furious at being played like a fiddle, Candra severed her pact with the Assassins and let the Thieves choose the punishment. Bobby LeBeau wanted the Assassin leader, Bella Donna, executed. But Gambit (who used to be in a relationship with Bella Donna) intervened and asked for a lighter sentence. Let Bella Donna live but strip her of her powers. Candra agreed to Gambit’s terms and drained Bella Donna’s abilities before vanishing into thin air.
Candra’s Past Catches Up with Her
After Gambit died during the Genosha Massacre, he was resurrected by Apocalypse to serve as his Horseman of Death. Even while he was plotting world domination, Apocalypse couldn’t let go of the rage he felt towards Candra for deceiving him. So he decided to get his revenge.
Driven by Apocalypse’s influence, the resurrected Gambit took control of both the Thieves and Assassins Guilds. He forced them to perform an ancient ritual to summon Candra early. Once she was awakened, Gambit demanded she give him her magical gem so he could grant immortality to Rogue. Candra retaliated, but she was outmatched when Gambit stabbed her through the chest.
The legendary X-Ternal began to break down and disintegrate, seemingly ending her centuries-long rule over the bayou.
