Archangel, the former servant of Apocalypse, uses all of his resources on anything that can help him exact revenge on the ancient mutant for enslaving him. However, Apocalypse is also tracking him down - hoping to re-enlist him as his agent of destruction: Death. A battle ensues, and the X-Men discover and take Archangel in after his defeat to receive medical attention. Rogue, taking pity on him, and empathizing with his plight, offers to help him in his Captain Ahab-like quest. Meanwhile, Beast becomes familiar with the sentient Ship under Apocalypse's command, and they also bond as well as it requests its help on stopping its master forever. Unfortunately, defeating Apocalypse is much easier said than done.
This episode provides examples of:
- Anti-Hero: Archangel is an Unscrupulous Hero, treating Rogue like his sidekick or even servant, not his friend and partner (not unlike Apocalypse, mind you), and has an unquenchable thirst for revenge.
- Badass Boast: "I am the rocks of the eternal shore. Crash against me and be broken!"
- Batman Gambit: Apocalypse faked proof of a weakness to flush Archangel out of hiding and to go to Ship.
- Be Careful What You Wish For:Wolverine: Buildin' mousetraps, while Rogue and Birdboy get all the action.
Apocalypse: [arriving] Beware of what you ask for, for it may come to pass.
Wolverine: [extends claws] Beware yourself! - Big "NO!": Rogue, when Gambit gets trapped while going back for Archangel.
- Bittersweet Ending: The X-Men and the world at large are safe, but Archangel is still consumed with revenge, Ship is destroyed, and everyone knows Apocalypse will one day return.
- Blinded by Rage: Archangel becomes increasingly unhinged throughout the episode. Gambit warns Rogue that he's too reckless in this state and will just get her hurt along the way.
- Exposition of Immortality: Apocalypse, while trapped under an impenetrable forcefield, scoffs at Beast's attempt to imprison him, referring to this trope:Apocalypse: Beast... how many peoples have dreamed of my end! You are no closer than the Babylonians with their swords and firesticks! [Evil Laugh]
- Fake Weakness: Archangel believes that he's discovered a weakness of Apocalypse at the base of his neck that can kill him. The problem is, this was told to him... by Apocalypse himself, posing as an archaeologist under Worthington's employ. Naturally, he boasts that he has no weaknesses.
- He Who Fights Monsters: Archangel.
- Hope Spot: Double subverted. Just as Beast traps Apocalypse in the force field, Archangel arrives in a rage and ends up destroying the control panel. This does not deactivate the force field as feared, only for Apocalypse to demonstrate that he can deactivate it whenever he wants.
- I Did What I Had to Do: Apocalypse genuinely believes that Warren is better off as one of his Horsemen.
- I Shall Return: Apocalypse's very words, as he's blasted into space.
- Little "No": Archangel, when Apocalypse reveals his trick.
- Mirror Character:
- Because she absorbed some of his personality the last time they met, Rogue can understand Archangel and is more eager to help him than the others. Turns into Not So Similar when she can walk away, but he can't.
- Unsurprisingly, Wolverine prefers Archangel's "direct action" approach to Beast's plan.
- No One Gets Left Behind: Gambit nearly gets himself killed going back for Archangel. When he gets trapped, the other X-Men actively try to break down the walls to save both of them.
- Properly Paranoid: Played With. Archangel knows Apocalypse will return, but he doesn't. Not for a few thousand years, anyway.
- Revenge Before Reason: Archangel doesn't care about anything else but the destruction of Apocalypse, even at the cost of his life. Even with Apocalypse captured by the very spaceship under his command in a forcefield, which he cannot break free of and no-one else can penetrate, Archangel intentionally damages the controls to release for another (pointless) shot at killing him. This leads to Ship's "death" and almost gets himself and the X-Men killed. Cyclops rightfully chews him out on being such a revenge junkie that he jeopardizes the lives of his allies and tells him to get lost and never bother them again. Archangel, for his part, now "sees" that the X-Men were no help in his pursuit of revenge.
- Sealed Evil in a Can: Ship uses the last of its energy to use its defense systems to entrap Apocalypse into a sealed craft and jettison him off into space. Apocalypse swears to return.
- Shrouded in Myth: One of the archeologists says that different cultures had different ideas about Apocalypse, but they all agreed that he's immortal. He more than lives up to his reputation during the climax.
- Shut Up, Hannibal!: Apocalypse's Badass Boast is followed by Gambit crashing a minijet into him.Gambit: The name is Gambit! Remember it!
- That Man Is Dead: Averted. Though Gambit believes the transformation irreversibly changed his identity, Archangel still sees himself as Warren Worthington and doesn't object to being called that by others.
- What the Hell, Hero?: Gambit towards Rogue for her and Archangel engaging Apocalypse near civilians.
- You Are Fat: Gambit's attempt to catch Rogue leads to him remarking she should cut down on fried chicken.
- You Fool!: Apocalypse to the X-Men for continuing to fight him.
