Professor X and Magneto were engaged in a deep conversation in the dimly lit bar, both volunteering their assistance to those who had survived the ravages of war. Their topic of discussion revolved around mutants, yet they cautiously concealed the fact that they themselves possessed extraordinary abilities. However, Xavier's patience wore thin, and he ultimately revealed his telepathic powers, urging his newfound compatriot to reveal his own gift of manipulating metal.
Suddenly, Magneto's expression shifted, as he seemingly heard Rogue's voice calling out to him. The bar quickly emptied, leaving only the two mutants standing face to face. Xavier's tone became urgent, demanding that Magneto restore Earth's power, even if it meant reactivation of Bastion's sentinels.
Magnus resisted, but the Professor's mental prowess was unyielding. With a single thought, he hijacked Magneto's mind, and the world was restored to its former state.
Bastion, looking more robotic than ever, appeared delighted with the turn of events. He summoned four Sentinels, each holding Storm, Morph, Beast, and Forge captive. As he spoke of the inherent goodness of mankind, he commanded the Prime Sentinels to attack the helpless humans. The robots rampaged through the streets, destroying everything in their path, while the heroes struggled valiantly to stop them.
But then, a miraculous sight unfolded. Jean emerged from the water, transformed into the Phoenix, her power radiating in all directions. With ease, she captured Bastion and placed a collar around his neck, instantly halting the Prime Sentinels. She freed her friends and even managed to destroy a part of Sinister's DNA. The scientist's face twisted in horror as Morph revealed his new, decrepit form to the horrified crowd.Bastion, ever resilient, rose anew, stealing Cable's metal arm and absorbing its power, transforming into a even more fearsome robotic monster. Abandoning the X-Men, he made a beeline for Asteroid M, determined to complete his mission once and for all.
Meanwhile, Magneto awoke inside the bar, his mind a blank slate, unable to recall even his own identity. Seizing the opportunity, the Professor introduced himself as a mentor, offering to guide Magneto to a better future. But as Magnus's memories slowly returned, anger welled up within him, causing a surge of water to crash into the bar, flooding it.
As Bastion invaded Asteroid M in search of its power source, Rogue struck first, punching him before he could react and demanding that he remember Gambit's name. When Bastion retaliated, Roberto, now calling himself Sunspot, stepped forward, unleashing a fiery blast powerful enough to be seen from Earth.
Amidst the chaos, the Government, clueless to the unfolding drama, scrambled to respond. Agents, including Captain America, pressed the President to activate the Magneto Protocol, and he reluctantly acquiesced.
Despite Rogue and Roberto's valiant efforts, Bastion emerged victorious and returned to the asteroid. But Nightcrawler, Jubilee, and Cyclops were ready, unleashing a relentless barrage of attacks that left Bastion reeling. He fired a laser in retaliation, locking in a fierce battle with Scott's optic blast, but ultimately, Scott's power prevailed, sending Bastion flying. Yet, the resilient robot refused to stay down.
Just then, Beast and the others arrived, commandeering a giant Sentinel that stomped Bastion underfoot. As the X-Men prepared to press their advantage, Scott halted their assault, urging them to embrace the future. He and Storm proposed a new path, offering Bastion a chance to join them, echoing Xavier's earlier attempts to bring him into the fold. But Bastion scoffed at their offer, mocking their hopefulness and declaring that humanity would rather perish than accept beings like him and the X-Men.
Suddenly, a barrage of missiles slammed into Asteroid M, causing it to begin crumbling apart in a cataclysmic display. Jean, with her force field, valiantly shielded her friends from the onslaught, while Scott reached out a hand to Bastion in a bid for assistance. But the villain, stubborn to the end, refused his offer and perished.
Beast, with quick thinking, formulated a plan for the X-Men to unite and prevent the doomed asteroid from colliding with Earth. Meanwhile, Cable, newly awakened on the planet's surface, unexpectedly received a psychic summons from his parents. Scott confessed that he had always regretted his father's abrupt departure, leaving without a farewell. He removed his visor, revealing his eyes, which Jean used her abilities to shield from his optic blast. Their gaze was intense, recalling Madelyne's constant comparisons to Nathan. Cyclops declared his love for Cable before departing.
Xavier, in the meantime, endeavored to soothe Magnus's troubled spirit. He reminded him of their shared dream, a bond that united them like family, unlocking memories buried deep within his comrades' minds and clearing their thoughts. Magneto, roused from his slumber, harnessed his formidable powers to aid the X-Men and halt Asteroid M's descent.
Yet, in a baffling turn, the asteroid and all its occupants vanished into oblivion, leaving no trace of their existence. Months passed, and as Forge searched for the missing X-Men, Bishop arrived with a cryptic revelation: it was not a question of where they were, but when.
Scott and Jean found themselves transported to a future where they were discovered by a young Nathan and others. Meanwhile, the rest of the team materialized in ancient Egypt, fatefully intervening to save En Sabah Nur, the young Apocalypse, from an uncertain fate.
