Dazzler's History
Alison Blaire was a singer in a punk rock band called "Dazzler", known for its provocative lyrics and stunning visual effects, secretly derived from her mutant power. When the X-Men approached her, asking her to join their cause, she told them she'd "join any outfit that could get her a record deal." Xavier did not comply with such a promise, and Alison declined.
Alison was soon approached by Emma Frost who offered her a place at the Academy of Tomorrow, a team of government-sponsored, young, media-friendly mutants. Frost offered the recording contract Alison desired, and Alison joined Frost's students.
In their first press conference, an anti-mutant military faction had programmed giant robot Sentinels to attack the group. The X-Men, on hand for the event, counterattacked and defeated the Sentinels. The anti-mutant conspirators were exposed, and Professor Xavier offered Frost's charges a place at his own school. Ali was the only one to accept, albeit claiming she was only doing it for free room and board.
Alison joined the X-Men and took the name "Dazzler". Unlike the other students, she was not terribly fond of rules. After overindulging at an Atlantic City rave, Dazzler returned to the school in an intoxicated stupor. She recovered in time for Mr. Sinister's attack on the X-Men. Despite her claims of disinterest, Ali helped fight off the serial killer, who was defeated shortly thereafter by Rogue.
Shortly thereafter, Ali dissolved her band, and it was insinuated that her decision to join the X-Men was induced by telepathic suggestion from Xavier.
Later, when Gambit attacked the X-Men at a carnival while trying to abduct Rogue on behalf of the von Strucker twins, Dazzler helped rescue civilians trapped on a Ferris wheel. She accompanied the team to rescue Rogue, who nevertheless left of her own free will.
Soon afterward, Professor Xavier sent half of the team to investigate criminal charges against the Genoshan mutant Longshot. Her interest piqued, Dazzler persuaded Angel, Colossus, and Nightcrawler to accompany her on an unauthorized mission to rescue Longshot. When Angel was abducted by Longshot's captors, Dazzler demonstrated leadership skills in rallying the team against their foes. Following Angel's rescue and Longshot's subsequent escape, Dazzler and the others learned Longshot was indeed guilty of murder. Infuriated at their actions, Xavier resolved to punish the one responsible for the unauthorized mission. Angel, realizing Dazzler was more likely to be expelled than he, claimed he had been the ringleader. Impressed by Angel's selflessness, Dazzler rewarded him with a kiss, and the two became romantically involved. Angel was subsequently "expelled" from the school - although this action was actually a ploy, as the Professor actually recruited him to his mutant underground, who dealt with Xavier's politically-sensitive missions.
On a date in which Angel was taking Ali flying for the first time, they tried to prevent the release of Magneto from the Triskelion. Dazzler was stabbed and severely injured by Deathstrike. She fell into a coma and was treated in a hospital. Teammate and friend Nightcrawler visited her room many times and watched her as she slept. The unhinged Nightcrawler decided to fool her into thinking they had to escape. Initially trusting him, she cooperated until the rest of the X-Men rescued her. The others, understanding Nightcrawler was mentally ill, planned to rehabilitate him. Dazzler did not accept this and quit the team in protest.
She was labeled as one of the "most important" mutants to the X-Men's cause by the future Bishop. Dazzler joined Bishop's new team. After Bishop died, Dazzler returned to the Xavier Institute to be with Angel and on Xavier's X-Men team once again. She was on Colossus' enhanced team, using the drug Banshee to boost her powers, seemingly with the ability to generate solid light spider legs and constructs and later faced off against Wolverine with hard-light versions of his claws.
She, along with Nightcrawler and Beast, died in the Ultimatum Wave.
