In X-Men '97's latest episode, "Lifedeath - Part 2," we learn what became of Professor X after he was taken into outer space to receive life-saving treatment from the Shi'ar Empire.
A year later, Charles Xavier has been saved and found love with Lilandra. Their union doesn't sit well with her subjects and the Majestrix's sister is quick to challenge her ability to rule. She demands that, to marry Lilandra, the mutant must have his memories of Earth wiped from his mind.
He initially agrees, but cannot so easily forget his X-Men. As a fight breaks out between the Shi'ar, Charles uses his psychic powers to remind them of the failings of their people and what he can bring to the table as a "Terran."
However, it's then he has a terrifying vision of dead mutants and the demise of Gambit; the former leader of the X-Men appears to have sensed the genocide which took place on Genosha. Despite it meaning the end of his relationship with Lilandra, Charles vows to return to Earth and his students.
Who told them that he'd died? As of now, we don't know.
Elsewhere in the episode, Storm overcomes The Adversary and manages to save Forge's life (later admitting her feelings for him). In the process, Ororo is able to tap back into her mutant abilities, donning a new costume and becoming even more powerful.
Forge then turns on the news and learns what happened in Genosha, suggesting he and Storm will rejoin the fight against whoever orchestrated the attack.
X-Men '97 doesn't keep us waiting to find out who might have been responsible, though, as a terrified Bolivar Trask is shown running from an unseen enemy. He talks about giving them access to the Master Mold, and it's then we learn it was Mister Sinister who was behind what happened (unlike the comics where Cassandra Nova was the culprit).
Interestingly, Nimrod is showcased in this week's opening credits, so there may well be more twists and turns to come. The X-Men are clearly going to have the odds stacked against them, anyway!
X-Men '97 revisits the iconic era of the 1990s as The X-Men, a band of mutants who use their uncanny gifts to protect a world that hates and fears them, are challenged like never before, forced to face a dangerous and unexpected new future.
The first six episodes of X-Men '97 are now streaming on Disney+ with new instalments following weekly.