Trish Tilby is conducting an interview with the X-Men, aiming to reveal a different facet of the mutants to the world. She engages in lively conversations with Beast and Jubilee, while also noting the significant milestone of the United Nations officially acknowledging Genosha today.
Meanwhile, Magneto, Rogue, and Gambit are heading to Genosha to participate in a gala event. As they arrive, the scene is painted as a utopian paradise where mutants freely embrace their powers and express their true selves. The blackbird lands gracefully, and Madelyne Pryor and Dr. Cooper are there to greet the X-Men. Madelyne has risen to a prominent position within Genosha's hierarchy and informs Magneto that the Interim Council wishes to discuss matters with him.
Suddenly, Kurt Wagner, alias Nightcrawler, teleports into the scene and eagerly hugs Rogue and Gambit. He eagerly shows them more of the nation, calling it his home. Even Rogue is caught up in the festive atmosphere and finds herself watching a vibrant street performance. Kurt takes the opportunity to劝慰Gambit not to give up on love.
Back at the mansion, Trish Tilby continues her interview with Scott, while Logan engages in a conversation with Jean. Scott and Jean's discussion turns to a past date they shared, revealing a deep connection even though they are physically apart. Unexpectedly, the redhead steals a kiss from Wolverine, leaving him momentarily stunned. However, he quickly regains his composure and asserts that they are not destined to be together.
Tilby's interview takes an unexpected turn when she asks Scott about his son. The question catches him off guard, and he attempts to deflect the inquiry with a lie. But when he realizes he cannot escape the truth, Scott's anger flares up. He vents about the way mutants are treated by others and his desire to prove that he is a person worthy of respect.
The council, comprised of Moira, Madelyne, Emma Frost, Calisto, and other prominent figures, discusses the need for the mutant community to speak out and unite. They believe that having a strong leader is crucial to achieving this goal, and Magneto emerges as the perfect candidate. Initially hesitant, Magneto is encouraged by Madelyne, who reminds him that Xavier would have wanted him to dream bigger. After some consideration, Magneto accepts the role but with one stipulation.
Later on, a tense argument erupted between Rogue and him, centered on his insistence that she should serve as his queen. He boldly declared that the council would be extremely fortunate to have her as their leader, a statement that left her deeply contemplative.
Meanwhile, Jean offered comfort to Scott, who was overwhelmed by the loss of control he experienced during his conversation with Tilby. To divert his attention, Jean prompted him to discuss and describe Nathan. However, their intimate conversation was abruptly interrupted by the arrival of the real Jean, who unexpectedly interrupted their tête-à-tête. It transpired that Scott had actually been engaged in a psychic dialogue with Madelyne for over a month.
As the argument between Jean and Scott escalated, something suddenly assailed Jean's mind, causing her to become ill.
As Gambit prepared for the gala, Rogue approached him to reveal her past. She confided that her evil mother had taken her to Magneto, claiming that he could offer her assistance. Under his guidance, she learned many valuable lessons, including the understanding that being a mutant encompassed more than just one's abilities. One fateful day, Magneto discovered that his electromagnetic powers could protect him, allowing him to touch Rogue without harm. Despite this revelation, Rogue ultimately chose to leave him, as the demons that haunted them were too great for their relationship to overcome.
Rogue then announced that she had accepted Magneto's proposal. Gambit, determined to dissuade her, argued vehemently against the decision, but she remained steadfast. In the end, he reluctantly conceded, vowing to remain by her side, albeit solely as a friend.
At the gala, Magneto and Rogue's dance captivated the attention of every guest, eliciting a mixture of astonishment and envy. However, Gambit's heart was unable to bear the sight, and he retreated, overwhelmed by the emotional toll.
Suddenly, a vision struck Madelyne, mirroring the one that had afflicted Jean. She was assaulted by visions of death and sentinels, and she heard Cable's urgent voice echoing through the chaos, ordering everyone to silence the music. Meanwhile, Rogue kissed Magneto gratefully, acknowledging his assistance but acknowledging Gambit's warnings. With that, she turned and walked away, leaving Gambit and Magneto to face the consequences of her decision.
As Cable caught sight of Madelyne, his heart filled with urgency. He locked eyes with her, and in that instant, she recognized the familiar features of her son, Nathan. Before he could utter a word of explanation, a profound sorrow washed over his face, and with a flick of his will, he vanished into thin air. Suddenly, a blinding laser beam erupted, shattering the gala into chaos.
Rogue awoke to a nightmarish sight - a gargantuan sentinel looming on the horizon, its power unimaginable. As it unleashed another beam towards her, Nightcrawler's swift teleportation saved Rogue and Magneto, but not himself. The mutants were hunted down by relentless machines, their once-thriving nation transformed into a landscape of carnage and death.
Determined to draw the sentinel's ire, Magneto positioned himself as a lure while Rogue and Gambit raced to evacuate the Morlocks and other mutants. Magneto's fury grew with each fallen comrade, but even his strength seemed insufficient to halt the destruction. In a fit of rage, he commandeered a passing train, using it as a whip to lash out at the sentinel. It was a tactic that proved unexpectedly effective.
Gambit managed to rescue the Morlocks, but the sentinel's wrath was relentless. It hurled Magneto towards their refuge, and he, in turn, gathered every scrap of metal he could find to form a protective barrier. It was a valiant effort, but the sentinel's beam was too powerful, obliterating Magneto, Gambit, and the Morlocks in a single, devastating blast.
Rogue, her heart breaking, attempted to destroy the sentinel in a fury of her own. But Gambit, seeing her intent, sacrificed himself to save her. With a controlled explosion, he sent her flying to safety while charging towards the sentinel. The monster impaled him, but Gambit had anticipated this, using his power to detonate the sentinel from within.
The X-Men, watching the carnage unfold on television, were stunned into silence. Meanwhile, Rogue cradled Gambit's lifeless body in her arms, tears streaming down her face. She whispered, her voice hoarse and broken, that she could no longer feel him, her heart shattered by the loss of her friend and ally.
