As episode 4 of X-Men 97 unfolds, Magneto's intentions are clear: he wants the team to hit the Danger Room for training right after breakfast. But the rest of the crew has other ideas, eager to celebrate Jubilee's special day. As she joins them, Rogue announces a barrage of surprises, asking the birthday girl what she wishes to do. Jubilee's response is unexpected: she wants to hit the arcade with everyone, a plan that doesn't sit well with their leader.
Frustrated, Jubilee vents her anger to Roberto about Magneto's strictness, longing for a day of relaxation and fun. Roberto, not a fan of games, tries to resist her pleadings, but Jubilee persists, hoping to persuade him. Suddenly, her eyes land on a mysterious console labeled "Motendo" in her room. Curious, she activates it, but instead of fun, it traps her and Roberto inside.
Oblivious to their new reality, they quickly sense something amiss. Suddenly, Sentinels descend upon them like a swarm of angry bees. Roberto remains reluctant to use his powers, fearing his parents might catch him on TV if there are cameras around. A ringing phone piques his interest, hoping it might lead to an escape.
In a blink of an eye, they find themselves transported to Genosha - but not the one they know. This is an older version, a place Jubilee remembers being trapped with Gambit and Storm. As a pair of criminals lunge at them, a figure with a punkish style swoops in, vanquishing the foes and disappearing into the shadows.
Out of the blue, Mojo materializes, offering Jubilee a chance to relive her fondest memories forever. Amidst the recent changes within the X-Men, this prospect excites her. Suddenly, she and Roberto are thrust into a series of frantic scenarios, fighting enemies like a side-scrolling video game.
The final stage is Asteroid M, and Roberto confesses that at home, he pretended to hate mutants. His mother tried to assure him that not all mutants were bad, but he knew she was scared, so he kept up the facade.
Suddenly, Magneto launches a furious attack, fatally striking Roberto. Jubilee is stunned, but her anger ignites, and she quickly identifies the villain's attack patterns, defeating him. As she despairs over her fallen friend, she spots an extra life. With a hopeful heart, she uses it, and Roberto's life is miraculously restored. Just then, a pair of mysterious hands reaches out, pulling them both from the clutches of the game.
It transpires that the punkish lady who had previously assisted them is, in fact, a digital facsimile of Jubilee, who had tested the game beforehand and discovered a means to evade death's grasp. Mojo makes his way to their location, but their combined efforts swiftly overcome him. At that juncture, Roberto and the genuine Jubilee return to the realm of reality. Their lips meet in a tender kiss, and this segment of the episode draws to a close.
The subsequent section, titled "Lifedeath," begins with Storm and Forge sharing a meal. His remarkable ability to materialize anything he conceives prompts Storm to inquire if he is the one who restored himself. He confesses that he once engaged in a war, only to lose his arm in the fierce battles.
In an effort to offer Storm a fresh perspective and lighten her mood, Forge escorts her on a horseback ride through the scenic countryside. Their bond deepens as she opens up about her situation, revealing her innermost feelings.
Later, Forge unveils his latest creation: a machine capable of reversing the effects of radiation and restoring Storm's powers. Storm, albeit with some hesitation, steps inside the machine. However, her hopes are dashed when it fails to yield any results. Despite her repeated attempts to summon the winds, nothing happens. Tears stream down her face as she struggles to accept this devastating reality.
As Storm watches Forge desperately tinkering with the machine, she questions his motivations. To her surprise, he reveals that after the war, he worked for the Defense Department, aiding them in developing weapons designed to neutralize dangerous mutants. Broken and lost, he saw it as a way to atone for his past sins. Storm's anger flares as she realizes his sole purpose is redemption. Even when Forge professes his love for her, she slaps him across the face and storms out.
As she flees, the floor beneath her feet cracks, and she finds herself back at Forge's house. Suddenly, a demonic owl appears and attacks Forge, biting him viciously and throwing him far away. It is the Adversary, a creature that feeds on misery and has sensed Storm's current plight as a feast worthy of its appetite.
