Mark Powers

It has been several months since Magneto assumed control of the island nation of Genosha. In that time, he has made incredible strides to unify and rebuild the once war-torn and chaotic country. His success has come from ruling with an iron hand and deftly managing the nation’s remaining assets. His cabinet is an eclectic bunch, with some questioning his rule, including his own son, Quicksilver. Genosha’s rebirth is hindered by a rebellion in Carrion Cove and limits on the nation’s resources due to UN sanctions. Magneto finds support for his waning powers from Polaris, who in turn is gaining knowledge of her own powers from the true Master of Magnetism. Quicksilver worries that she may be seduced by this power. The rebellion uses former Acolytes-turned-mercenaries to stand their ground and protect a secret so great, it prompts Amelia Voght to join their cause to keep it from Magneto’s hands. The UN decides that their original appointee, Dr. Alda Huxley, is too personally involved and sends a new envoy… Magneto’s daughter, the Scarlet Witch.

Magneto accompanies the Scarlet Witch on a tour of Genosha to show her how much the nation has prospered under his rule. She cannot help but be impressed by his results despite her misgivings and past relationship with the Master of Magnetism. Quicksilver learns the secret hidden in Carrion Cove and allies himself with those determined to keep it from Magneto. The Genoshan forces take the Krolik Foothills and still do not know how the former Acolytes who work for the rebellion have grown so powerful. Wheels within wheels turn as Cortez secretly reports to the UN the latest in Genosha, with his own agenda clearly in play. Pipeline realizes that Pietro knows the truth of what Carrion Cove is hiding and teleports him away. He is determined to claim this power for himself and rid Genosha of outside rule once and for all. He then teleports the rebels and their mutant allies away and is about to claim the prize for himself when Carrion Cove is rocked by yet another attack! The UN has deployed a “special task force” of their own to protect the hidden technologies at Carrion Cove. They’ve sent in the Avengers!

The Avengers’ arrival in Genosha sparks a battle with the Genoshan cabinet. This ends when Quicksilver explains to all what is hidden in Carrion Cove and why they cannot allow Magneto to access it. Magneto arrives with Polaris and battles the Avengers to a standstill. Alda Huxley learns of Fabian Cortez's betrayal and confronts him. He offers information that she finds valuable and they strike a bargain. Quicksilver and the Scarlet Witch try to disable the coveted equipment while Magneto is occupied on the battlefield. Magneto pushes Polaris’ powers beyond their limits in order to end his battle with the Avengers. Magneto goes to claim his prize, while the assembled heroes try to save lives in the wake of the destruction he has unleashed. However, a final obstacle remains in Magneto's way: his own children, Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch. He forcefully subdues them, foregoing any hope he might have had at reconciliation. Magneto is about to acquire the advanced genetic devices that will restore his powers when Polaris arrives to stop him.

Polaris confronts Magneto in an effort to stop him from claiming the advanced mutagenic equipment hidden in Carrion Cove and restoring his fading powers. Magneto defeats her and uses the machines to repair his damaged DNA. The Avengers focus their efforts on saving the lives of those endangered during their fight against Magneto. When he emerges once more, he is invigorated and uses his powers to immobilize Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. He tells them to get out of his country and when they try to argue that the UN didn’t agree to this, he points out they have violated their own treaty and that they and Roxxon have been supporting the rebellion against him. He refuses to recognize human law. The Wasp declares that it’s in the world best interest that they stop him here and now. He asks how they plan to do that and as a demonstration of his raw power, he magnetically reaches out to Hammer Bay, grabs the traitorous Fabian Cortez and smashes his body against the rocks before the assembled heroes. He then positions satellites and threatens to crash them into major cities if the Avengers don’t leave. The Wasp relents and Magneto exchanges harsh words with his children: Wanda and Pietro before they depart. He tells them that they have once again disappointed him and they express their disgust with him. Polaris departs as well, explaining that it’s what Alex would have wanted her to do. Magneto is left alone to rebuild Genosha and prepare for the next stage of his plans. Quicksilver and Polaris prepare themselves for the coming genetic war on the horizon.

Magneto arrives in Genosha and assumes control despite worldwide controversy. He is attacked by Magistrate forces but is saved by a mutate who takes him to meet with the existing leadership. Magneto incorporates this diverse group of Genoshan nationals into his new cabinet, though he truly trusts none of them. Quicksilver discovers that Amelia Voght has been spying on him under his father’s commands and demands to be taken to Magneto. He is surprised to learn of Magneto’s new role in Genosha and decides to look into the state of affairs there. He is quickly captured by The Zealot, the leader of a mutate rebellion that opposes Magneto’s ascension to the throne in Genosha. Magneto recruits Fabian Cortez into his cabinet to help him maintain his former power levels. Rogue arrives to try and talk some sense into Magneto and discovers The Zealot and his plan to sacrifice Pietro as the opening salvo in his war to reclaim Genosha from Magneto.

The Zealot plots to use the captured Quicksilver to draw the new “Lord of Genosha” out. Rogue discovers that Pietro is in peril and forms an uneasy alliance with Amelia Voght to try to save him. Their appeals to Magneto to help them fall on deaf ears as the Master of Magnetism is too busy threatening the United Nations who have been keeping a watchful eye on Genosha. Magneto claims he no longer cares for Rogue or Pietro, but gives Rogue enough time in Genosha to try and rescue Quicksilver. Rogue and Amelia succeed in freeing Quicksilver but are quickly intercepted by the Zealot who has determined that Pietro is of no further use to him. Before he can kill Quicksilver, the rest of the Genoshan cabinet arrives including Magneto. Magneto openly challenges the Zealot and declares that when he is done with him, the Zealot will acknowledge his rightful rule of Genosha.

Magneto confronts and defeats the Zealot, sending his opposition into space as an example to all those who would oppose his rule in Genosha. Quicksilver sees it as his responsibility to oppose Magneto until he sees how much Genosha needs a chance at a better future. He chooses to remain at Magneto’s side in the hopes of tempering his father’s anti-human sentiments and violent approach to ruling the nation. Devastated to see the changes in Magneto from the man she once cared for, Rogue leaves Genosha after confessing her disappointment in and disdain for the man Magneto has become. She also makes it clear that the X-Men will be back if he steps out of line. Magneto cements his new status as ruler of Genosha and establishes his cabinet, which includes Quicksilver. He sets out on creating his vision of a mutant homeland that will be the beginning of an era of mutant ascension and domination.

Sabretooth has escaped from captivity at the Xavier Institute after several months of confinement. He quickly realizes that the X-Men are hot on his trail as he navigates the Morlock tunnels. Sabretooth's senses detect a familiar presence nearby, and he challenges his pursuer to confront him. It turns out to be Caliban, the formidable mutant tracker of the X-Force team living at the mansion. A brutal battle ensues, with Caliban attempting to exact revenge for Sabretooth's earlier actions, including harming Psylocke and Boomer. Also, Caliban has a deep hatred for Creed as he was part of the Marauders who perpetrated the "Mutant Massacre". In a moment of miscalculation, Caliban provides an opening for the cunning Sabretooth, so Creed uses a live cable to lift himself from the water, temporarily incapacitating Caliban.