The scope of the cosmic Marvel Universe means there are plenty of alien heroes and villains alike -- including some who've even formally joined heroic teams beyond just space-based groups like the Guardians of the Galaxy. One of them even found a place (and romance) with an offshoot X-Men team while briefly on Earth.
Debuting in Excalibur #46 (by Alan Davis, Mark Farmer, Glynis Oliver, and Michael Heisler), Cerise was a heroic Shi'Ar recruit to a mutant team and even a love interest for Nightcrawler. Given the current circumstances of the Marvel Universe, it might even be the perfect time to reunite her with her old Excalibur teammates -- and even potentially rekindle her most famous romance.
Who is the X-Men's Shi'Ar Ally, Cerise?
Cerise was born in the Shi'Ar world of Shaskofrugnon, quickly becoming a skilled warrior and navigator for a Shi'Ar galactic outreach. With her ability to manipulate red energy -- the same skill set used by the Kin Crimson dubbed the Hard Skin -- she can create all sorts of energy constructs and blasts, making her a formidable and adaptable force in battle. Under the command of the brutal C'Efn, Cerise was witness to countless acts of barbarism -- until she could bear it no more and arranged for the deaths of the entire crew. Her attempt to turn herself in resulted in her accidentally being flung across the galaxy and into Earth's orbit.
There, she encountered Excalibur -- quickly convincing them she was just a traveler who'd become marooned in their world. She joined the team and struck up a romance with Nightcrawler -- who remained loyally by her side even when he discovered the truth of her prior actions. Sentenced to life imprisonment for her crimes, the then-Shi'Ar Majestrix Lilandra instead converted the punishment into a lifetime of service by her side as an advisor and protector of the throne. She'd return to Earth during the events of the Maximum Security storyline, aiding the X-Men in exposing the Kree plot to turn Earth into an intergalactic penal colony. After Lilandra's demise, Cerise traveled the galaxy, lending her skills to Gamora and Nebula's group (known as the Graces) during the events of Annihilation, proving their equal in combat.
Where in the Marvel Universe is Cerise Now?
Cerise eventually returned to Shi'Ar space and resumed her service to the Neramani family -- this time in the name of Xandra, the genetically engineered daughter of Lilandra and Charles Xavier. Becoming the girl's protector, Cerise was quick to rush into battle when she was taken from her, allying herself with the Starjammers, Rogue, and Gambit against the Shi'Ar Imperial Guard. Although she's been mentioned in recent titles like Marauders and Legion of X, Cerise hasn't made a formal reappearance -- despite Xandra's increasing importance as a major ally to the mutant nation of Krakoa.
The time might be right for Cerise to return to the spotlight, especially given the unique position the X-Men/Shi'Ar Alliance is in after the discovery of the ancient conflict between mutants and the alien race. Her return could give Xandra another familiar face to call upon in times of danger, and reintroduce a skilled Shi'Ar who can speak to the importance of maintaining alliances with Earth-born forces. She could even potentially rekindle her romance with Nightcrawler. With the X-Men expanding their influence across the cosmos, the formal return of Cerise could prove to be a boon for both the mutant heroes and their space-based allies in the Shi'Ar Empire.