After deciding to help their new friend, Bird-Brain rescue his friends from the test, the New Mutants find themselves on a semi-deserted island. They believed they were alone on the island until various Animates approach them, looking more hungry than friendly. Bird-Brain feeds them the hamburgers he brought with them, but their feast is interrupted by a calling whistle. The whistle somehow hypnotizes the animates into starting the tests. The New Mutants decide to try the tests with them, to save Bird-Brain and his friends from this madman, the Animator. Soon inside the maze, they realize the test is something to be taken serious, as they discover various bodies belonging to fallen animates. They find themselves in battle with huge animates, and dangerous traps. After the New Mutants are captured, the Animator reveals himself. He tells Bird-Brain he should have never come back, because his return trying to save his friends has cost all of their lives. He orders the animates to destroy them all!
- Writer: Louise Simonson
- Artist: Bret Blevins