Chapter Summaries

James Howlett proposed using presidential influence and a public campaign to ease hostility toward Mutants, then explained his plan to Charles Xavier at a genetics forum. The chapter left Charles confronting James’s view that hope was the world’s greatest lie.

• James Howlett persuaded Robert Kennedy to cooperate with plans to address public fears about Mutants and supernatural individuals.
• James told Emma to leave Hoover’s Hydra scientists to the federal justice system, recruit promising ones, and send Raven to approach a young Mutant who had built Cerebro.
• Charles Xavier packed to move back to his family home, and Moira MacTaggert drove him away from Blake Street before leaving for an assignment from Mrs. Rogers.
• Charles received an invitation from the Howlett Group to a genetics forum, where scholars argued that Mutants would become the majority of humanity.
• James explained to Charles that he planned to pay scholars to promote the idea of inevitable Mutant evolution and to silence those who refused.
• James argued that Mutants threatened the existing class structure and ended by calling hope the greatest lie in the world.

Robert Kennedy’s presidency ushered in a government-backed system for Mutant education and oversight, while public opinion shifted toward accepting Mutants as New Humans. Years later, James and his family buried Abraham Erskine, Erik prepared to pursue a new breakthrough, and Emma gave birth to a daughter with diamond-bright claws.

• Robert Kennedy won the presidency, and James outlined plans for Mutant schools, enforcement agencies, and supermax prisons with the new president.
• Sean Cassidy and Salvador watched Professor Baines argue on television that Mutations were humanity’s future, as support for New Humans spread across America and beyond.
• In 1970, James and his family buried Abraham Erskine in Saxony, where Raven’s infant son Kurt displayed uncontrolled teleportation.
• Erik told James he planned to study Earth’s magnetic field at a pole to seek another breakthrough, despite spending less time with Magda and Anya.
• Emma went into labor, and James helped deliver their daughter, whose tiny hands produced diamond-bright claws.

Laura Howlett resisted going to the Howlett Super Evolution Elite Academy and tried to escape with Kurt, but James Howlett persuaded them to go. Meanwhile, Jean Grey awakened powerful abilities, and Kayla Silver Fox contacted Emma Howlett after Jean's energy reading exceeded her authority.

• Laura Howlett tried to convince Hank McCoy to build her a Tesseract Aircraft, but Hank refused and James Howlett arrived.
• Kurt Howlett prepared for the Academy as Laura tried to enlist him in an escape plan; James told them Sharon Rogers would attend too and agreed to take them.
• Laura and Kurt boarded the Wolf Seat and flew toward New York, while Jean Grey's powers caused the radio and objects in her parents' car to behave strangely.
• John and Elaine Grey took Jean to Howlett Extraordinary Academy, where Kayla Silver Fox tested her abilities with a Vibranium Energy Level Detector.
• Jean Grey's energy reading climbed to the top of the gauge, so Kayla contacted her teacher, Emma Howlett.

Jean Grey’s extraordinary Alpha-level potential brought her family to Howlett Super Evolution Elite Academy, where James Howlett arranged her enrollment and Laura declared her a lifelong rival. James also offered Charles Xavier leadership of Order Whip, leaving Charles to consider the job with Moira.

• Jean Grey’s energy test reached the maximum Alpha-level rating, prompting Kayla Fox to bring Jean and her parents to Howlett Super Evolution Elite Academy.
• Laura reunited with Emma and Kurt, while James told Charles that he wanted him to lead Order Whip in combating supernatural crimes.
• James explained that Charles’s compassion for both mutants and ordinary people made him suited to lead the organization, and Emma urged him to discuss the offer with Moira before deciding.
• Kayla told James that Jean’s power exceeded existing standards, and James instructed her to enroll Jean normally without publicizing her potential.
• Laura and Kurt approached Jean outside the principal’s office, and Jean claimed she had fought a boy before Laura named her lifelong rival.

Steve Rogers and the Order Whip raided a Chicago gang conducting Near-Death Mutation experiments, killing the gang members and capturing a newly awakened Mutant. Steve then headed to assist Alex Summers, who had encountered the powerful Mutant leader Gambit.

• Vito Luciano oversaw his gang injecting indebted residents and forcing them into pods for Near-Death Mutation experiments.
• One subject transformed into a huge, unstable Mutant, and Steve Rogers arrived as the pod burst open.
• Order Whip operatives killed Luciano and the armed gang members while Steve subdued the Mutant.
• Steve ordered the Mutant restrained and the Chicago police and Mutant Affairs Bureau contacted, then discussed the Wolf Pack's plans with Colin Pitt.
• Steve told Colin Pitt that Alex Summers had encountered Gambit, an Alpha Mutant with at least Level Four destructive power.

President Richard Nixon visited James Howlett to ask about recruiting evolutionaries into federal service, while Professor Carlisle Jackson found a clue to En Sabah Nur in Cairo. The chapter ended as Jackson recognized the pyramid tattoos of men passing by as a symbol for Apocalypse.

• Howard Stark spoke with Obadiah Stane about the Arc Reactor while his six-year-old son Tony showed him a V8 engine he had built.
• President Richard Nixon visited James Howlett and asked permission to recruit evolutionaries for the military and government.
• James agreed to voluntary recruitment through incentives but rejected forced enlistment and warned Nixon against establishing extraordinary academies that could conceal experiments.
• Professor Carlisle Jackson searched an antique shop in Cairo for En Sabah Nur and showed the shopkeeper a symbol he had found among the ruins.
• Jackson spotted men with pyramid-like tattoos and recognized their symbol as Apocalypse.

Remy LeBeau stole two vials of Super Soldier Serum for a wealthy client, but the Order Whip tracked him down and Captain Rogers defeated him. As Charles Xavier joined the Order Whip and saw its new Cerebro, James faced the Ancient One’s anger over letting Mephisto into the world.

• On a train to Providence, Remy LeBeau admired the stolen Super Soldier Serum and planned to deliver it before lying low.
• Hank McCoy showed Charles Xavier the Order Whip’s new Cerebro and explained how Mr. Howlett’s Evolution Technique had transformed him into Beast.
• Raven gave Charles a file on Gambit, while Alex Summers and Steve Rogers headed to Providence to arrest him.
• Charles tried to control Gambit telepathically but failed, so Steve and Alex pursued him after Gambit fled the drop-off point.
• Steve defeated Gambit in a fight, and Alex recovered the serum and restrained him for transport to Wolf Tower.
• In the Himalayas, the Ancient One berated James for letting Mephisto into the world so he could test his limits.

James Howlett proposed luring Mephisto into Earth’s dimension so the Ancient One could seal him, while Laura settled into academy life and later visited Wolf Nest. The chapter ended with Laura taking Arnim Zola’s mechanical head home for a bedtime story as Bolivar Trask examined the mutated remains of Darwin.

• James Howlett suggested letting Mephisto obtain the Contract of San Venganza before striking, and the Ancient One considered his plan to seal the demon on Earth.
• Azazel returned from a trip to Muspelheim, and James left Kamar-Taj after promising to bring Laura to visit the Ancient One.
• Laura shared a room with Jean Grey, who thanked her for being a friend despite her dangerous, uncontrolled powers.
• Emma temporarily sealed Jean’s mental powers so she could safely visit her parents, then the children reunited with their families at the academy.
• Laura visited Wolf Nest, where she demanded that Arnim Zola continue his Red Skull story and carried his removable mechanical head home.
• Bolivar Trask went deeper into the laboratory to examine Darwin, whose body remained alive and mutated unpredictably.

Bucky opened Wolf Tower to imprison Gambit and discussed the prison with Steve before they sparred. Meanwhile, William Stryker left prison and found his wife and son, only for Jason to use his powers to make everyone believe William was already home; Stryker walked away unaware as Jason continued the exhausting lie.

• Bucky raised Wolf Tower’s entrance from beneath the Arctic ice and admitted Gambit and four other prisoners to the underground prison.
• Steve visited Bucky’s quarters, where the two discussed Wolf Tower and prepared to spar.
• William Stryker was released after thirteen years and traveled to Louisville to find his wife, Marcy, and their son, Jason.
• Jason’s classmates discussed awakened powers and extraordinary academies, while Jason avoided enrolling because he feared psychic detection.
• Stryker confronted Marcy, but Jason used his power to make the neighbors and his mother perceive an imaginary, successful William in his place.
• Stryker limped away without recognizing what had happened, while Jason went home and continued pretending to interact with his nonexistent father.

James Howlett and the Ancient One watched Mephisto’s plot against Barton Blaze unfold, but James saved Barton and decided to deliver the Contract of San Venganza to Johnny. Meanwhile, Professor Carlisle Jackson was captured in Cairo after asking about En Sabah Nur, whose followers learned that his ancient history might be real.

• Charles Xavier and Moira settled into their Manhattan townhouse, while Charles thought about Professor Jackson’s research and the mysterious house at 177 Blake Street.
• The Ancient One taught Laura Howlett to grind ink and write Chinese characters before opening a portal to send her home.
• James Howlett and the Ancient One discussed Mephisto’s plan for Barton Blaze and the Contract of San Venganza at the Quentin Carnival.
• Barton Blaze’s motorcycle malfunctioned during his stunt, but Johnny and an unseen force helped him survive; James then said they should deliver the contract to Johnny.
• In Cairo, Professor Carlisle Jackson was captured by En Sabah Nur’s followers, who questioned him about the ancient ruler and listened as he described the surviving records.

Professor Jackson discovered Apocalypse’s Golden Pyramidion beneath an Egyptian courtyard, while James Howlett faced Carter Slade’s Ghost Rider to obtain the Contract of San Venganza. After James survived the Eye of Judgment and subdued Carter, the dying Ranger gave him the Contract, leaving James to question the nature of gods, devils, and souls.

• Professor Jackson explained the ancient Apocalypse symbol to Egyptian followers, who led him underground to see their Golden Pyramidion.
• James Howlett asked Carter Slade for the Contract of San Venganza so he could draw Mephisto into Earth’s physical dimension and hunt Him.
• Carter transformed into the Ghost Rider and challenged James, who defeated him and endured the Eye of Judgment.
• James used Flail to extinguish Carter’s Hellfire and return him to his frail human form.
• Carter revealed the Contract hidden in a shovel and confessed his past service to the devil before he and his horse crumbled into ash.
• James took the Contract and Carter’s badge, questioned the Ancient One about gods and souls, and inscribed a memorial to Carter on the gravestone.

Professor Carlisle Jackson uncovered a legend that Apocalypse lay buried beneath an ancient Egyptian ruin, but his efforts to persuade the followers to stop digging ended when sunlight activated a Golden Pyramidion. The buried Apocalypse stirred as a powerful force swept across the world.

• Professor Carlisle Jackson pieced together the legend of En Sabah Nur, the first Mutant, who became Apocalypse and was buried with his Four Horsemen during a rebellion.
• Jackson urged Sened and the other followers to excavate the ruin more quickly, but Sened insisted they had to keep its secrets from outsiders.
• Sened threatened Jackson with a pickaxe after deciding the professor was an outsider, and Jackson fell through the covered entrance into the ruins.
• Sunlight struck the Golden Pyramidion, which trembled and sent golden light and threads streaming through the cave.
• A force surged out from deep beneath the earth, and Apocalypse stirred in the silence of the ruins.

Jean Grey experienced visions of apocalyptic disasters and unleashed a powerful force in the training room while James Howlett and other powerful figures sensed a disturbance. Deep underground, an ancient armored being awakened, emerged from the ruins, and ordered Professor Jackson to kneel.

• Jean Grey cheered Laura on as she fought Sharon Rogers, but visions of disasters suddenly overwhelmed Jean and a force sent Kurt teleporting away.
• James Howlett felt a foreboding while he and the Ancient One watched Johnny Blaze mourn his father, and Charles, Emma, and Magneto also sensed a disturbance.
• An ancient armored figure awoke deep underground, repelled the stone above him, and vanished in a burst of purple-red light.
• An earthquake collapsed the ruins where Professor Jackson and the Apocalypse worshippers had gathered, and the figure appeared in the courtyard.
• The armored stranger spoke ancient Egyptian to Professor Jackson, who fell to his knees after hearing, “Mortal, kneel.”

Apocalypse awakened in ancient Egypt and slaughtered his followers before ordering Professor Jackson to take him to Wong. At Superhuman Academy, Jean Grey’s vision of an apocalypse triggered a dangerous power surge, and Emma recognized that Jean had seen real scenes of the coming disaster.

• Apocalypse emerged from the collapsed cave and turned the kneeling followers into sand statues after condemning them for speaking his language.
• Apocalypse asked Professor Jackson what era it was, then ordered him to take him to Wong.
• Jean Grey lost control in the academy’s training room, and Laura braved Jean’s destructive force to wake her.
• Emma examined Jean, heard about her vision of collapsing mountains and splitting earth, and reassured her before sending the children away.
• Emma scolded Laura for recklessly taking injuries, then realized Jean’s vision had shown scenes of the apocalypse.

Apocalypse awakened in Cairo, absorbed modern knowledge, and took Professor Carlisle Jackson to witness the creation of his new order. Meanwhile, Mephisto offered Johnny Blaze his father’s soul in exchange for retrieving a contract, leaving Johnny to consider the deal.

• Apocalypse crossed Cairo’s streets and used a television shop’s electronics to absorb human history and knowledge through modern signals.
• Apocalypse told Professor Carlisle Jackson that mortals were unworthy of speaking his name, then teleported away with him to witness the rebuilding of his kingdom.
• After Apocalypse vanished, black smoke spread among the onlookers, causing hundreds of people to sicken, bleed, and suffer rotting flesh.
• Johnny Blaze rode across a Texas highway after burying his father and called for Mephisto to appear.
• Mephisto offered to return Johnny’s father and free him from the devil if Johnny retrieved a contract, then waited for his answer.

Mephisto transformed Johnny Blaze into a Ghost Rider and sent him to retrieve the contract in San Venganza. At the ruins, James Howlett and the Ancient One watched Johnny arrive while discussing the limits of seeing the future, and James asked her to summon reinforcements.

• Mephisto used Hellfire to transform Johnny Blaze into a Ghost Rider and ordered him to retrieve the contract and San Venganza.
• Johnny Blaze's motorcycle transformed into a flaming hellish bike, and he rode toward San Venganza.
• The Ancient One activated the Eye of Agamotto as she and James Howlett watched the ruins from a hillside.
• James asked whether the Time Stone could reveal every possible future, and the Ancient One warned that seeing outcomes could change them and cause new dangers.
• James saw that the Ghost Rider contract lay exposed inside the ruined church and asked the Ancient One to call in reinforcements.

James, Emma, Charles, and the Ancient One prepared to confront Mephisto over the Contract of San Venganza, while Johnny Blaze retrieved it from the ruined town. Mephisto took the contract and stripped Johnny of the Hellfire, then faced the Ancient One in the Mirror Dimension.

• Emma and Charles arrived at the New York Sanctum Sanctorum, where Sorcerer Matt and the other sorcerers prepared to take them to San Venganza.
• James and Emma discussed their suspicion that the strange power they had sensed was connected to mutants as Johnny Blaze entered the abandoned town.
• Johnny found the Contract of San Venganza in the ruined church, and Mephisto appeared and explained that it held the souls of the town's inhabitants.
• Johnny refused to hand over the contract until Mephisto showed him Barton Blaze's lifeless soul, then Mephisto swallowed the contract.
• Mephisto tore away Johnny's Hellfire and sent him through a portal before the Ancient One emerged to confront him in the Mirror Dimension.

James Howlett and the Ancient One fought Mephisto inside a vast Mirror Dimension while Kamar-Taj sorcerers and Charles Xavier worked to contain the battle. As James began wearing down the Hell Lord, Apocalypse returned in Egypt, destroyed the Giza monuments, and set out to find gifted children for his knights.

• Kamar-Taj sorcerers, Emma Howlett, and Charles Xavier helped stabilize the Mirror Dimension as the Ancient One faced Mephisto with James Howlett.
• James attacked Mephisto with his Bone Blades and Gang Qi, while the Ancient One fought beside him and the Hell Lord summoned waves of infernal creatures.
• Mephisto tried to break out by hurling powerful fireballs at the Mirror Dimension, but Emma and Charles reinforced its barrier and the Ancient One warped the space to keep him trapped.
• The Ancient One teleported James in front of Mephisto, and James dragged the Hell Lord back into the fight as he continued trying to exhaust him.
• Apocalypse stood atop the Khufu Pyramid with Professor Jackson, declared his return, and destroyed the pyramid complex before departing to find gifted children for his knights.

Apocalypse traveled to England’s Mutant Affairs Center and awakened Caliban’s powers, naming him the Pestilence Knight. Caliban told Apocalypse about other powerful mutants, and they set off for Siberia to seek more Horsemen.

• Director Garfield interviewed Caliban and asked him to demonstrate his ability to detect mutants.
• Apocalypse appeared at the center, sensed Caliban’s potential, and teleported to the recruitment office.
• Apocalypse awakened Caliban’s strength and fear abilities, causing him to grow into a powerful giant and frighten Garfield to death.
• Apocalypse named Caliban his Pestilence Knight and asked him to identify powerful mutants.
• Caliban mentioned Erik Lehnsherr, Rasputin, Wolf Tower, and an academy, then followed Apocalypse through a portal to Siberia.
• James Howlett continued fighting a devil lord in the Mirror World.

James and Ancient One fought Mephisto in the Mirror Dimension, where the demon transformed into his immense dimensional true form. James revealed his Six-Armed Wolf King Mystic Art and amplified his power, leaving the battle poised for another round.

• Ancient One supported James as he pinned Mephisto and battered the demon, who regenerated from his injuries and taunted James about the gods.
• Mephisto grew horns, restored his arms, and expanded into his nearly twenty-meter dimensional body, while James's attacks failed to stop him.
• Ancient One struck Mephisto with Saboteur's Thunder, but he knocked her aside and trapped James between his palms without crushing him.
• James revealed the Six-Armed Wolf King Mystic Art, using four extra energy arms to resist Mephisto and wrench his finger until the demon fell.
• James formed a Mystic Arts array that multiplied his strength and grew his body, then challenged Mephisto to continue the fight.