Magik revealed Beast's internal struggle with his evil self is a powerful advantage, not a weakness.
The X-Men are plunging into the "DNX" crossover, sparked by the original Beast, now known as the Chairman. After witnessing a grim future where he eradicated humanity, the Chairman aims to replicate it in the present. This forces his clone, the current X-Men member Beast, to confront his predecessor and seek an unlikely ally.
Grappling with the knowledge of his own capacity for evil, the current Beast turned to Magik for guidance. She, too, battles an inner darkness in the form of the powerful, semi-demonic Darkchylde. Understanding his struggle intimately, Magik was uniquely positioned to offer a profound perspective on his internal conflict.
In X-Men #35, Beast asked Magik how she copes with an evil self that embodies all she fears. Her surprising answer was to "appreciate what a gift it is. And you are grateful." Magik explained that most people delude themselves into believing they are incapable of evil, but she and Beast possess the rare clarity of knowing their worst selves.
This self-awareness is crucial for Beast, whose history is marked by a slow descent into darkness. Once a jovial and optimistic X-Man, his attempts to "cure" himself only worsened his condition. He created a time machine that stranded the original X-Men in the present and, as head of X-Force on Krakoa, committed atrocities including murder and lobotomization.
Unlike the original Beast, who never learned from his darker counterpart, the current Beast has taken a critical step: he asked for help. Magik's counsel—to consciously acknowledge and understand his evil potential—provides him with the unique advantage needed to prevent becoming the Chairman. This newfound self-awareness is his path back to heroism.
