Rogue witnesses her infatuated crush, Scott, date Jean. She is consoled by her British friend, Risty, but when she accidentally touches and absorbs everything from her at a concert, she finds out that she was Mystique all along in disguise. Absorbing Mystique's power, Rogue's alter-egos from inside that she has absorbed in the past, use the shape-shifting ability she accidentally borrowed from Mystique to break free from Rogue's inner self, fighting to take control over her body and mind. Thinking everybody hates her, Rogue's latent multiple personality disorder breaks through and she loses her sanity. The X-Men have to stop their friend and colleague, who has all of their mutant abilities combined and is on the verge of burning herself out.
Tropes included:
- Bittersweet Ending: Rogue's rampage is stopped, but Xavier worries about her recovery. Wolverine is also certain the sting of Mystique's betrayal will linger for sometime. And then there's Destiny's prediction about a rising threat.
- Curb-Stomp Battle: With all the powers she had absorbed surfacing at once, Rogue was basically a One-Man Army and overwhelmed the entire team until Wolverine and Xavier get through to her and help her wipe out the personalities.
- Even Evil Has Loved Ones: Mystique insists she only posed as Risty to be near Rogue, revealing the truth about their relationship. Rogue is, of course, dubious.
- Everyone Can See It: When told that Scott and Jean are finally going on a date, Kurt remarks, "It's about time!"
- Foreshadowing: "An ancient mutant will rise to once again walk the Earth. Your fates, both yours and Rogue's, are in his hands."
- From Bad to Worse: Rogue initially suffers various moments of Power Incontinence, shifting from one form to the next and the different powers raging out of control. Then she starts to control multiple abilities and forms all at once. Wolverine lampshades how this is going to be bad.
- Internal Reveal: Rogue finally learns the truth about Risty being Mystique.
- Involuntary Shapeshifting: After over-absorbing Mystique's powers, Rogue starts to shift into the forms of everyone she absorbed as their personalities start fighting for control.
- Jerk with a Heart of Gold: Logan stayed by Rogue's side for hours waiting for her to wake up.
- Luke, I Am Your Father: "Admit the truth, Rogue. I adopted you when you were four. Search your memories. You are my daughter."
- Power Incontinence: Rogue, already beginning to feel the built-up effects of her powers, suffered through this in full effect after an accident caused her to over-absorb Mystique's powers, resulting in the personalities within her to start surfacing, along with the powers each of them possess.
- The Power of Friendship: Logan comforts Rogue about what she's been through and says her real friends will always be there for her.
- Rousing Speech: Wolverine when assuring Rogue that she's strong enough to fight the other personalities and assert control.
- Split-Personality Takeover: After absorbing Mystique's power, the different personalities that Rogue's absorbed throughout the series begin fighting for control.
- Spot the Imposter: Upon seeing Rogue-as-Sabertooth, Wolverine instantly realized this wasn't his long-time foe.
- Wham Episode: Rogue not only finds out Risty is actually Mystique, she also learns Mystique adopted her when she was four.
