In order to prevent all of humankind from being turned into mutants, the X-Men, the Brotherhood, S.H.I.E.L.D., The Acolytes, Angel, Spyke, Havok, and the New Mutants all join forces to save humanity from the ambitions of Apocalypse. Rogue defeats Apocalypse at the last minute by borrowing Leech's ability to cancel other mutant abilities. She stops the pyramids' energy and closes his case with Apocalypse still inside. Wolverine helps, sending him back through time. In the end, Professor Xavier shares his visions of the future while he was under Apocalypse's mind control.
Tropes included:
- Bittersweet Ending: Apocalypse is defeated, and the Four Horsemen are returned to normal (though Rogue doubts the former is gone for good), but Rouge and Kurt permanently sever ties with a remorseful Mystique for her transgressions. Xavier's vision of the future is also this; he sees such positive developments as Magneto reforming and becoming a teacher at the institute, Gambit, Colossus, and X-23 joining the team, and many of his students growing up, but also troubling things like continued anti-mutant bigotry, the Brotherhood still being the delinquents they were as teens, Nimrod and Sentinels flying in the skies, and Jean's painful transformation into the Phoenix.Xavier: No matter what awaits us, terrible or wondrous, the X-Men will always be there, ready. And of that, I am proud.
- Calling the Old Man Out: Mystique's attempt to appeal to her children is shot down.Nightcrawler: Save it, Mystique.
Rogue: Even you don't believe your excuses, so just leave us alone. - Foreshadowing: While hugging Jean, Xavier looks noticeably saddened. In the next scene, he talks about his visions, so he knew then what will happen to her in the future.
- Irony: Nightcrawler lampshades how the girl who kept trying to close herself off from the world saved it.
- Laser-Guided Karma: Rogue ultimately plays the role in defeating Apocalypse after being used by the latter to release him.
- Villainous Rescue: The Brotherhood show up to help Kitty's team, after all. According to Toad, they'd have been there sooner, but they got lost. Quicksilver in particular saves Wanda from getting crushed.
