Chapter Summaries

Alex returned to Alex City, restoring the mutants’ hope and reuniting with Emma and the other women. Logan arrived with his grown son Daken, and Alex looked forward to rebuilding the years he had missed with everyone.

• Alex appeared in Alex City and announced his return, lifting the mutants’ spirits and easing their hostility.
• Alex embraced Emma and the other women, healing their bodies and promising Audrey and Vivien Leigh that he would not leave them again.
• Monroe kissed Alex, but Logan interrupted their reunion by arriving at the city.
• Logan told Alex that he had forgotten many things but would never forget him, and Alex comforted him about his sealed memories.
• Logan introduced his son Daken, prompting Alex to grieve the years he had missed before Emma reassured him that they still had time together.

After spending six months with Emma and the other women, Alex returned to New York to look for Tony and then visited S.H.I.E.L.D. to gather information about several groups. Natasha revealed that Hydra had played an important role in the Soviet Union’s collapse, leaving Alex and Nick stunned.

• Emma told Alex he could pursue what he wanted as long as he did not forget her and the other women, and Alex returned to New York after she sent him back to work.
• Alex teleported to Stark Tower to see Tony but found Obadiah in Tony’s office, then left without learning where Tony was.
• Alex visited S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters invisibly and teleported into Nick’s office, where Natasha recognized him by instinct.
• Nick asked Natasha what she had learned about the Soviet Union’s collapse, and she said Hydra had played an important role.

Natasha revealed that Hydra had infiltrated the Soviet Union and might have agents in other countries, including S.H.I.E.L.D., but she could not discover its goals. Alex decided to investigate and confront Baron Strucker, then defeated Strucker’s men and left him as the only survivor.

• Natasha told Nick and Alex that Hydra had controlled Soviet government and military departments and might have infiltrated the United States and S.H.I.E.L.D.
• Natasha said Hydra’s agents had vanished before she could learn their purpose, and Alex volunteered to investigate.
• Nick warned Alex that Magneto, the Hellfire Club, the Anti-Mutant Association, and Stryker’s planned mutant-hunting Sentinels threatened the X-Men.
• Alex teleported to Baron Strucker, who taunted him and ordered his powerful men to attack.
• Alex used a steel ball to defeat Strucker’s men, leaving Strucker standing alone.

Alex fought Strucker and the group of villains who arrived, but Red Skull and Sebastian Shaw escaped after Alex overwhelmed their forces. Magneto remained on the battlefield with Alex.

• Alex wounded Strucker as he escaped, then turned to face Red Skull, Sebastian Shaw, Magneto, and the Black Queen.
• Alex seized the Black Queen and attacked Sebastian Shaw, prompting Red Skull, Magneto, and nearly a hundred Hydra soldiers and mutants to join the fight.
• Alex resisted their attacks, while Red Skull's weapons, Sebastian Shaw, and the Black Queen failed to seriously threaten him.
• Alex released a massive energy shockwave that badly injured the villains and killed many Hydra soldiers.
• Red Skull fled, and Sebastian Shaw and the Black Queen escaped with most of the mutants using a Teleporter, leaving Alex and Magneto behind.

Alex captured Magneto and returned to Alex City, then encountered a mysterious man whose nature reminded him of Adam. Charles identified the man as High Evolutionary and explained his dangerous plan to evolve all of humanity.

• Alex restrained Magneto and took him back to Alex City, refusing to let him threaten mutants again.
• Alex discovered that the mysterious middle-aged man had returned, sensed that he was like Adam, and read enough of his thoughts to admire him before teleporting away.
• The middle-aged man fled into the forest after Alex left.
• Alex greeted Charles and the others in Alex City and described the strange man he had encountered.
• Charles suggested the man was High Evolutionary, then explained that he believed humanity was imperfect and wanted everyone on Earth to evolve.
• Alex recognized that High Evolutionary's ambition was dangerous.

Alex learned that the High Evolutionary planned to use a Gene Bomb to evolve all humanity, while Erik revealed his own scheme to turn humans into mutants. The High Evolutionary completed the bomb on Mount Wundagore, and Emma warned Alex that it could be detonated at any moment.

• Charles and Emma told Alex that the High Evolutionary intended to create a Gene Bomb, but Alex failed to locate him.
• Emma warned that the Brotherhood of Mutants might retaliate after Alex captured Magneto, and Alex went to question Erik.
• Erik told Alex that he planned to turn all humans into mutants so they would no longer hate mutants.
• Emma contacted Alex with news that the High Evolutionary had completed the Gene Bomb and prepared it for detonation on Mount Wundagore.

Alex and Charles encountered Apocalypse at Mount Wundagore and learned that the five-thousand-year-old mutant intended to confront the High Evolutionary. Alex left Charles behind and found Nick Fury and several factions gathered near the mountain, admitting that Apocalypse frightened him.

• Alex and Charles traveled to Mount Wundagore to investigate the High Evolutionary’s plan to detonate the Gene Bomb.
• They met Apocalypse, who introduced himself as Earth’s first mutant and condemned the High Evolutionary’s ideas about evolution.
• After learning about the Gene Bomb, Apocalypse flew toward the depths of Mount Wundagore and ordered Alex and Charles to follow.
• Alex sent Charles back and returned alone, finding the Hellfire Club, Hydra, AIM, the Hand, and Nick Fury’s group gathered outside the mountain.
• Alex warned Nick Fury that Apocalypse was five thousand years old and admitted that he was afraid of him.

Alex raced to stop the High Evolutionary’s Gene Bomb after deciding he would not risk his friends for its uncertain promise of human evolution. He found the rocket guarded by werewolves and bird-men, and prepared to fight through them.

• Nick Fury and Natasha Romanoff decided to remain at Mount Wundagore, while Clint Barton insisted on staying with them.
• Alex sensed a surge of energy in the mountain and warned Nick that Apocalypse and the High Evolutionary might have started fighting.
• Alex reached a valley ahead of the other factions and discovered that the energy came from a Gene Bomb mounted on a rocket.
• As Alex tried to remove the bomb, a werewolf knocked him from the rocket, and he froze it before heading back toward the bomb.
• Alex found a pack of werewolves and more than a dozen bird-men blocking his way, and ordered them to move.

Alex stopped the rocket from launching and helped Nick, Natasha, and Clinton defeat the beastmen, then learned that Hydra and the other factions were pursuing High Evolutionary. After Alex incinerated the remaining monsters, Nick ordered the group to move in and capture High Evolutionary.

• Alex killed the Werewolves and bird-men with steel balls, then restrained the rocket and absorbed its energy as more beastmen surrounded him.
• Nick, Natasha, and Clinton arrived to help Alex, while Hydra and other factions watched from the outskirts.
• Alex drained the rocket's energy and saw the other factions head deeper into the mountain, where Nick suspected they were pursuing High Evolutionary.
• Nick ordered Alex and the others to clear the monsters and capture High Evolutionary, while Alex used the rocket's energy to burn the beastman army to ash.

Alex and his allies watched Apocalypse and the High Evolutionary battle, then joined the fight when Hydra and other factions intervened. Apocalypse countered Alex’s ranged attacks, leaving Alex to search for another way to harm him.

• Alex teleported with Nick and the others to the battlefield, where Apocalypse and the High Evolutionary fought while Hydra waited nearby.
• A superpowered Hydra operative approached, and the Hellfire Club and Brotherhood of Mutants also sent fighters into the battle.
• Apocalypse and the High Evolutionary stopped fighting each other and charged at the intervening factions.
• Alex attacked Apocalypse with steel blades and Impact Beams, but Apocalypse’s magnetic control and pale-blue Force Field blocked both attacks.
• Alex considered close combat, then focused on the heavy armor covering Apocalypse.

Alex’s attacks failed against Apocalypse, who captured him and threatened to make him an apostle. Alex then revealed that he had destroyed Apocalypse’s armor and prepared to strike back.

• Alex discovered that Apocalypse’s energy-redirecting force field and magnetic field came from his armor, but his physical attacks were absorbed and his telepathic assault was blocked.
• Apocalypse countered Alex’s Teleportation, stretched his arms, and dragged Alex back before he could reach High Evolutionary.
• Clint shot an arrow through Apocalypse’s forehead, but the wound rapidly healed without leaving a scar.
• Apocalypse restrained Alex and demanded that he submit, die, or become an apostle as Nick and Natasha rushed to intervene.
• Alex shouted at Apocalypse, and Apocalypse’s armor cracked apart and collapsed into scrap metal.
• Apocalypse stretched Alex’s body, but Alex remained unharmed and erupted in red light as he declared that it was his turn.

Alex recovered his permanent copying ability and used it to escape Apocalypse, then fought him while they both faced a barrage from Red Skull and the others. After Alex discovered that the attacks were weakening Apocalypse’s Psionic Power, Apocalypse fled, leaving Alex under the full force of the attackers.

• Alex’s copying ability returned, and he permanently copied Apocalypse’s molecular control over his body to break free.
• Apocalypse proposed working with Alex, then attacked him; Alex evaded the blow, and their fight continued without either gaining a decisive advantage.
• Red Skull and the other superpowered individuals resumed their attacks, forcing Alex and Apocalypse to defend themselves against the barrage.
• Alex realized the attacks were weakening Apocalypse by suppressing his Psionic Power, while Alex’s own cosmic-level Psionic Power kept him from suffering the same decline.
• Alex focused on Apocalypse, who promptly teleported away; the attackers then redirected their assault onto Alex and abandoned High Evolutionary.

Alex held off Red Skull and the other factions while the High Evolutionary secretly prepared to detonate the Gene Bomb. The X-Men emerged from hiding and launched a coordinated attack, leaving the opposing forces stunned as the battle continued.

• The High Evolutionary dragged out his fight while secretly preparing the Gene Bomb, and Alex warned that it would destroy both humans and mutants.
• The High Evolutionary offered to serve Red Skull and the others if they spared his life and freedom, intensifying their attacks on Alex and drawing Nick, Natasha, and Clint into the danger.
• Alex sent Nick and Natasha back to safety and revealed that the X-Men were clearing out the High Evolutionary's beastman forces.
• The High Evolutionary realized his beastman army was dwindling, and the X-Men appeared around the battlefield.
• The X-Men attacked in coordinated squads, bringing down fighters from the various factions and shocking Red Skull, Sebastian Shaw, and the others.

Alex used Charles and Sprite’s illusions to make the X-Men appear overwhelming, then let Red Skull and the other factions leave in exchange for keeping the High Evolutionary. Back in Alex City, he had the High Evolutionary imprisoned while Charles proposed secretly learning from his genetic research.

• Red Skull threatened Alex with the X-Men’s limited numbers, and Alex pretended to reluctantly accept a deal to let the factions go if they stopped pursuing the High Evolutionary.
• The Sage opened a gap in the X-Men’s formation, allowing Red Skull, Sebastian Shaw, and the others to escape while the High Evolutionary remained under Alex’s control.
• Alex teleported the X-Men and the captive High Evolutionary back to Alex City, praised Charles for creating the illusions, and thanked Sprite for supplying her illusion dust.
• Alex instructed Charles to strengthen Alex City’s defenses, then ordered the High Evolutionary placed under strict guard.
• Charles suggested secretly learning from the High Evolutionary’s genetic knowledge, and Alex enthusiastically approved the plan.

Alex sought refuge for the mutants in Attilan, but Medusa refused to let outsiders enter under the Inhumans’ ancestral rules. She offered Attilan’s technology instead, leaving Alex with an alternative to consider.

• Alex asked Crystal to help the mutants enter Attilan, and she warned him that tradition barred outsiders.
• Alex and Crystal teleported to Attilan, where Lockjaw transported them to Medusa and Black Bolt’s quarters.
• Crystal reunited affectionately with Medusa and asked where Black Bolt was; Medusa said he was meditating.
• Alex explained his plan, but Medusa refused to admit the mutants because of Attilan’s ancestral rule.
• Medusa offered to provide Alex with Attilan’s technology instead.

Alex agreed to trade the High Evolutionary to Medusa in exchange for Attilan’s technology and a share of his research, while the Inhumans faced worsening genetic mutations. Black Bolt then challenged Alex to spar, and Lockjaw prepared to transport them to a suitable location.

• Medusa offered Attilan’s technology in exchange for the High Evolutionary and explained that genetic mutations threatened the Inhuman race.
• Alex agreed to hand over the High Evolutionary on the condition that they shared his research results, and Medusa accepted.
• Black Bolt arrived, approved the arrangement, and Medusa proposed sending Inhumans to Alex City to protect Attilan’s secrets.
• Black Bolt challenged Alex to spar, and Alex accepted despite worrying about Black Bolt’s destructive voice.
• Lockjaw stood up as silver light appeared over his head, preparing to transport them.

Alex fought Black Bolt on the Moon, first surviving his devastating infrasonic attack and then overpowering it with energy control. Black Bolt conceded defeat in their energy contest and challenged Alex to a physical fight, which Alex also won.

• Alex arrived on the Moon with Black Bolt, Medusa, Crystal, and Lockjaw, and agreed to fight Black Bolt without holding back.
• Alex charged Black Bolt without using his special abilities, but Black Bolt unleashed a powerful infrasonic attack that wounded him.
• Alex activated his absorption ability and devoured Black Bolt’s energy until he could counterattack with a golden energy pillar.
• Alex’s energy control split Black Bolt’s attack, and Black Bolt conceded that he had nearly exhausted his stored energy.
• Black Bolt challenged Alex to a physical fight, but Alex’s combat skills overwhelmed him and forced him to admit defeat.

After Otu warned that a catastrophe would threaten Earth and the Inhumans, Alex and his allies began preparing and alerting others. While searching for Tony afterward, Alex sensed an unfamiliar winged mutant and wondered who it was.

• Crystal praised Alex after his victories over Black Bolt, and Alex told her and Medusa about The Watcher.
• Otu appeared and warned Alex and Black Bolt that a global catastrophe would soon threaten Earth and could destroy the Inhuman race.
• Medusa ordered preparations for Alex City and urged progress on the High Evolutionary matter, and Alex agreed before returning to Earth with the others.
• Alex delivered Medusa's geneticists to Emma, then told Nick Fury about Otu's warning, prompting Nick to alert governments and intensify intelligence gathering.
• Alex went to Stark Industries to look for Tony, but found no trace of him and instead sensed an unfamiliar winged mutant.

Alex recruited Warren Worthington III, who called himself Angel, and brought him to the X-Men’s base to meet Charles. After Angel declared his admiration for the X-Men and showed his wings, Charles accepted him as a new member.

• Alex found Warren Worthington III flying and introduced himself as an X-Men representative.
• Warren mistook Alex’s references to the X-Men for talk about the X-Men movies before agreeing to hear his offer.
• Alex teleported Warren to Alex City and brought him to Charles’s office.
• Warren introduced himself as Angel and declared that joining the X-Men was his lifelong wish.
• Charles challenged Angel to prove he could be a warrior, and Angel spread his wings.
• Charles accepted Angel as an X-Man.

Alex joined Charles and the X-Men in searching for Angel, who vanished after leaving for X-Film Company. During the search, Alex discovered that nearly everyone in New York had fallen ill, revealing a possible threat as the chapter ended.

• Charles told Alex that Angel had been missing for three days and could not be located with Cerebro.
• Charles explained that Angel had returned home but disappeared while heading toward X-Film Company, so Alex joined the search.
• The group teleported to New York, where a tracker tried to follow Angel's trail while Alex searched the city with his Psionic Power.
• Alex detected that nearly everyone in New York had contracted an illness and warned Charles that someone was behind it.