Astonishing X-Men # 1 - Once More, With Feeling

This issue takes place during the Age of Apocalypse

Magneto has gathered his X-Men together, and warns that any who participate in the upcoming raid probably won't be coming back alive. The gathered X-Men accept this and acknowledge their loyalty to Magneto. He's discussing his doubts about the existence of their world, when Blink and Sunfire come porting in. They were losing a battle to an Infinite, so she came back to the mansion. Unfortunately, Sunfire's flames are out of control. Iceman manages to cool him down, but Delgado comes through Blink's teleportation aura. Blink closes the portal on him; killing the prelate. Sunfire briefs the X-Men on the result of his and Blinks mission: Apocalypse's son Holocaust has begun a new round of cullings.

In what's left of Manhattan, Rex enters the room of charred skeletons which is Apocalypse's chamber. He tells Apocalypse that his plan to use Delgado to find the X-Men's hideout was a success. It will only be a matter of time before they pinpoint the location. Apocalypse smiles.

Back at the X-Mansion, Rogue and Blink are tending to Sunfire when Gambit walks in. He and Rogue have a past together, and Blink doesn't like him. Rogue and Gambit walk outside to talk. They almost kiss, but Blink brings Rogue's and Magneto's son outside, much to Gambit's consternation.

Magneto is alone in the shadows, reminiscing about Charles Xavier. Nightcrawler appears and tells Magneto that he believes Bishop is a plant for Apocalypse. Magneto says he's more afraid that Bishop represents the truth. He tells Nightcrawler about the night Xavier died, and how he saw a black man on the periphery who later vanished. That night Erik made a promise to Charles that he would make the world a better place, even if it means sacrificing THIS world.

Meanwhile, in the hangar bay, Rogue and Blink are preparing the shuttle. Blink asks why she doesn't just teleport them there. Rogue tells her that what Holocaust will be expecting, and that Blink isn't as talented as she thinks she is. Quicksilver enters and confronts his stepmother, Rogue, about the insanity of her plans. Rogue, Blink, and Sunfire can't stop a cullng on their own. Sabretooth enters and announces that he and Wild Child are going to. They have unfinished business with Holocaust. Magneto leads Sunfire in, and tells Quicksilver that he intends to go to. He tells Quicksilver to remind the others to floss. Quicksilver promises, and then catches himself. Magneto was actually Morph, and he gives Pietro a big kiss. Rogue and Quicksilver say their goodbyes, and the shuttle leaves. Bishop stands at the door and asks Quicksilver what Rogue's team hopes to accomplish. Pietro tells him that this may not be much of a world, it may not even be the right world, but it is THEIR world- and they will fight for it. As Quicksilver walks off, Bishop whispers that the Professor wouldn't have it any other way.