Among other things, Falcon and the Winter Soldier has brought a plethora of classic heroes, villains and locales to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. One of the show's most surprising additions to the MCU was the modern pirate sanctuary of Madripoor, a small island nation synonymous with all things underworld. While all that Sam and Bucky come across on Madripoor is seedy bars and plenty of bullets, the island holds many more secrets, including a group of powerful stones called the Madripoor Set, which would've destroyed the world if not for the X-Men.
For longer than anyone can remember, the Thieves Guild has had one task that remained constant above all else, and that was to ensure that the Madripoor Set was never assembled. These six powerful gems became central to one of the most disastrous plots the Marvel Universe ever faced in 2001's X-Treme X-Men #4, by Chris Claremont and Salvador Larroca. That issue saw the titular X-Men team make a series of shocking discoveries that culminated with a grim portrait of a crucified Gambit.
Unbeknownst to the heroes, this prophetic image would soon become reality by the hand of the alien shapeshifter known as Shaitan. While Gambit had been acquiring the gems from various collectors on the behalf of the Thieves Guild in order to further disperse them, Shaitan had been gathering them in order to harness their power. With the final gem in the possession of Storm, it was easy enough for Shaitan to attack both of the heroes and steal away with Gambit while also completing the Madripoor Set.
Once assembled at an ancient temple in Madripoor, the gems placed around Gambit, who was crucified on an altar, just as in Destiny's diaries. The X-Treme X-Men, led by Storm, were quick to begin working out a rescue mission as Shaitan began harnessing the true power of the Madripoor Set.
Combined with Gambit's energy-based powers, Shaitan unleashed a beacon through the mutant's body and into the cosmos. The truth behind the Madripoor Set is that the stones, when used properly, would open a gateway for the invading forces of Khan, and alien tyrant hellbent on spreading his iron grip across the universe. Thankfully, the X-Men were able to halt the oncoming invasion, but rescuing Gambit nearly costs both him and Rogue their lives.
Rogue finds herself impaled on top of Gambit, with her powers being the only thing keeping either of them alive. As the last of her lifeforce courses through her body, Rogue spontaneously manifests every power she has ever absorbed, and with this newfound flurry of abilities she is able to turn the tide of battle and rescue herself as well as Gambit.
Miraculously, this X-Men team didn't suffer any major losses throughout the course of the invasion. While the saga of the Madripoor Set has somehow avoided becoming a more central aspect of the island's lore, it is absolutely indicative of just what can be found if someone goes looking in the wrong places on Marvel's most dangerous island.
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