Note: Although the New Mutants only briefly appeared in it, this follows events from The Uncanny X-Men #201.

Sunspot’s strength is tested in the Danger Room when Magneto doubles the weight he is lifting, ignoring Sharon Friedlander’s objections. As Sunspot struggles, Tom Corsi moves to help but is ordered to stand down. Fueled by anger, Sunspot pushes past his limits and rips the weight apart before storming out, insisting he only wants control of his powers so he can live a normal life. Though Magneto proves Sunspot is capable of more, he remains troubled by the pain driving him.

Afterwards, Sunspot breaks down alone in the locker room, clutching a photo of his murdered girlfriend, Juliana. He is shaken by the realization that the Beyonder could have killed them effortlessly if he had chosen to.

In New York, Shadowcat relaxes in the public library while Magik travels by subway to meet her. A power outage signals the Beyonder’s arrival, and Magik attacks with the Soulsword, only for him to catch it effortlessly, immune to its restrictions. He transforms her into Darkchild, then purges the demonic magic from her soul and seals her inside a subway car that rockets into the sky toward the Xavier school.

Back at the library, the Soulsword lands in front of Shadowcat who picks it up, forming Eldritch armor around her arm just as demons attack. Meanwhile, at the school, the New Mutants are ambushed by another demon at the pool, which is defeated only when Warlock absorbs its lifeglow. Their relief ends when the flying subway car crashes onto the lawn, carrying an entranced Illyana who speaks of the Beyonder’s perfect world and attempts to spread his influence. Cannonball attempts to talk to her, but he also becomes entranced by Illyana's message.

A massive shadow demon soon appears, bearing Shadowcat imprisoned within a grotesque medallion. He reveals that she was to be the new Guardian of Limbo, but Shadowcat lacked the experience to wield the Soulsword and was defeated. The demon then begins an incantation to transform Shadowcat into a bloodstone inside the Beatrice Medallion. Unable to command the demon without her magic, Illyana breaks free from the Beyonder's influence and tearfully reclaims the Darkchild within herself; sacrificing her peace to save her friend. Using the Soulsword, she drives the demon back to Limbo, freeing Shadowcat's bloodstone essence. Magik craddles Shadowcat's unconscious body on the lawn. When Shadowcat wakes, she assures them that she knew they'd save the day.

Note: For the sake of understanding the character change, the name 'Illyana' temporarily replaces 'Magik'. This signifies the influence the Beyonder had over her, removing her status as the ruler of Limbo and therefore leaving her without any 'Magic' powers. The name 'Magik' is therefore used when the character re-absorbed the demonic influence in her soul.