Marvel's X-Men have had more than their fair share of fights. They've taken on alien armadas, threats at home, and Sentinels massive enough to wipe out entire nations. They've even had to face off against the Avengers on more than one occasion. For the X-Men, a world-defining fight is just another Tuesday.
In some cases, though, the X-Men haven't had the fights they're destined for. Time, circumstances, or schisms have gotten in the way of proper confrontations involving characters like Professor X, Emma Frost and Beast, and it has led to stagnation. Fans are still waiting for certain showdowns to happen that could easily change the X-Men forever.
10 Emma Frost And Hellion
The lives of the Academy X kids have never been easy. They were the generation that suffered through the greatest mutant massacres in history — the decimation and genocide at Genosha. Among them, Hellion had the worst fate. Having experienced all his friends' deaths, Hellion tried to lead mutantkind to salvation. In the process, both of his hands were dismembered, and his mentor, Emma Frost, abandoned him.
While Emma was there when Hellion woke from his injuries, she put him back to sleep and left soon after. Hellion was left on his own without even his parents to support him. It's been years since their last major confrontation. Hellion really deserves the chance to face off against his former mentor for leaving him behind.
9 Moira, Professor X, And Magneto
The founders of Krakoa — Moira MacTaggert, Professor X, and Magneto — have always had a strained relationship. While they had the best interests of Krakoa in mind from the beginning, their methods always differed. After Magneto fled to Arakko and Moira turned to Orchis, a showdown is again inevitable.
Of course, there are a few blocks in the way. Magneto is currently dead and Moira no longer has her powers. Yet, as an Omega Sentinel, Moira can pack even more of a punch. As for Magneto, when have even the most controversial deaths in comics ever meant anything? Magneto can come back for a final battle for the fate of Krakoa, and the winner would decide everything.
8 Cyclops, Havok, And Vulcan
The Summers brothers haven't been enjoying their best era. Since Krakoa began, Cyclops and Havok have been at odds over Havok's violent break from reality. Vulcan has been on a mission to conquer the Shi'ar. Even Cyclops has been leaning towards villainy in his crusade against the Brood.
The brothers have never been at a darker point, and it's about time that they actually face off. After all, Vulcan is an irredeemable villain and Havok has been leaning that way too. A more brutal version of Cyclops is the perfect weapon to take down his brothers and finally get the Summers family back to normal.
7 Nightcrawler And Exodus
Mutant religion has been at the heart of the Krakoan era. Nightcrawler has been leading a religion centering around the Spark — a new philosophy dedicated to bringing out the best in mutantkind. Exodus, meanwhile, has been preaching mutant supremacy and creating messiahs out of Hope Summers and the Five.
Nightcrawler might be one of the weakest X-Men, compared to the incredibly powerful Exodus, but that's what can make it a great fight. The long-time X-Man is hopelessly outmatched. If he can somehow take down Exodus, he can preserve the heart of Krakoa and begin a new era.
6 Colossus and Mikhail Rasputin
For years, Mikhail Rasputin has been controlling the actions of his brother through the powerful Chronicler. He has managed to force Colossus onto X-Force, the Quiet Council, and into the hearts and minds of every mutant. He has even killed Colossus' partner.
After so long in Mikhail's control, it's time for Colossus to stand up to his brother. Mikhail needs to be shown that steel skin can beat any sword. With Colossus in possession of multiple Quiet Council votes, he needs to move quickly before Mikhail is able to make his move.
5 Storm And Moira
Storm has become the regent of Arakko. As the leader of a brutal people with war-driven traditions, she is firmly at odds with the science-driven Moira MacTaggert, who is looking to wage war against mutantkind. Professor X may be blinded by his history with Moira, but Storm isn't.
Pitting an Omega-level mutant against an Omega Sentinel is a natural decision that could have profound impacts. Storm isn't likely to show Moira much mercy, if it means saving the people of Arakko. A showdown between the true leader of the X-Men and the natural leader is a great way to potentially end the Krakoan era.
4 Nimrod And Rasputin-IV
Nimrod has been the enemy of Rasputin-IV since she first appeared in Powers of X. Today, the Rasputin that emerged in Earth-616 isn't exactly that same character. Still, she can still get vengeance against the monster who terrorized her original reality — even if she doesn't know it.
Rasputin is incredibly powerful and has the potential to easily take down the mutant hunter Nimrod. If Krakoa is ever going to stop Orchis, Rasputin is the perfect weapon for Krakoa to wield. Having to face an incredibly powerful sentinel like Nimrod could also show Rasputin her limits. She has never truly lost a fight before, and Nimrod can show her the danger of arrogance.
3 Mother Righteous And Mister Sinister
Siblings born for the pursuit of Dominion, Mother Righteous and Mister Sinister have very different methods. Mother Righteous uses magic to pursue her goals, while the cunning Sinister uses genetic experimentation. Both are profoundly evil, and both are working against each other.
Righteous won their last bout, but she never had a face-to-face fight with Mister Sinister. It would be interesting to see how the two respond to a real-world confrontation. Without projections and illusions, they could have an extraordinary fight — as long as Sinister never thanks Righteous.
2 Wolverine And Gorgon
Krakoa offered an opportunity for all mutants to live in solitude and rest. Even the most brutal X-Men villains could leave behind their evil ways and enjoy a life of peace and prosperity. Gorgon took that opportunity, but that doesn't mean that Wolverine needs to forgive him. After all, Gorgon took over Wolverine's mind and forced him to kill other heroes. If anyone is deserving of a showdown, it's Gorgon.
While Gorgon's mind was reset, it's more than likely that he will eventually be back to his old self. When he is, it's only natural that a fight breaks out. After all, if Gorgon is back to life, he hasn't really paid Wolverine's price for a mental invasion that fierce. Wolverine deserves a chance for retribution, and he's the best there is at getting it.
1 The X-Men And Beast
Beast has been wreaking absolute havoc on the world for years. It has been a long and slow decline that has seen him devolve from the happy-go-lucky and friendly Beast to something crueler than the Dark Beast. X-Force and the Quiet Council have recognized his evil, but it's about time that the rest of Krakoa does too.
Since Beast isn't going to stop any time soon, it's about time that the X-Men take him down themselves. If not every mutant on Krakoa finally showing Beast that his actions won't be tolerated, then the original X-Men at least need to take action. Beast has fallen too far. Someone needs to put an end to him.