Tropes:
- Asshole Victim: Cortez finds himself sacrificed by Apocalypse to bring about his return. A cruel move by Apocalypse to a loyal underling, but Cortez more than deserved it after his betrayal of Magneto and attempt to destroy humanity.
- Bad Boss:
- Cortez is quick to lash out at Caliban for failure, outright depowering him for any failure or defiance.
- Apocalypse doesn't hesitate to sacrifice his loyal underling to complete the ritual for his return.
- The Bad Guy Wins: While Cortez fails in his plan to find a suitable host for his master, this is not an issue for Apocalypse, who settles for possessing Cortez himself so he can fully resurrect into the material world.
- Balance Between Good and Evil: Apocalypse died at the end of the "Beyond Good and Evil" four-parter, but his essence lingers in a void and has the opportunity to revive. As Cortez says, "Apocalypse cannot not exist."
- Call-Back:
- Beast muses the temple is a duplicate of the Lazarus Chamber that Cable destroyed in Egypt last season.
- Beast references how Cortez was presumed dead at the end of the "Sanctuary" two-parter. Cortez explains how Apocalypse saved him from Asteroid M.
- Can't Kill You, Still Need You: As the intended sacrifice runs off, the female Hound's attempt to halt him nearly kills him instead. Caliban scolds this, reminding her that the guy needs to be brought in alive.
- Cool Teacher: Beast brought Jubilee along on his trip to get her some learning experiences. She bought him a "World's Greatest Teacher" mug.
- Crazy-Prepared: Apocalypse had the temple constructed long ago and tasked Cortez with standing watch as a final back-up plan.
- Dude, Where's My Respect?: Jubilee balks about how Apocalypse's followers keep referring to her as "the child" or some such.
- Easily Forgiven: Caliban's view of Jubilee forgiving him for all this. She insists that what matters is how he helped her when she needed it.
- Evil Laugh: The episode ends with Apocalypse laughing.
- Explain, Explain... Oh, Crap!: Beast translates the writing and learns about the temple. As he works, he realizes it's dedicated to Apocalypse.
- Flashback: When Cortez explains how Apocalypse increased his power, tasked him with forming the Hounds, and sent him to the temple.
- Foreshadowing: Beast warns Fabian Cortez about Apocalypse's betrayal, which happens at the end of the episode.
- Hypocrite: Cortez takes a dim view of both Beast and Jubilee for being in the X-Men, casually dismissing them as traitors. Never mind how he betrayed Magneto without a second thought.
- Karma Houdini Warranty: Cortez survived Magneto punishing him for his betrayal thanks to Apocalypse, just to meet his end at the end here, at the hands of Apocalypse no less.
- Leeroy Jenkins: The female Hound is very aggressive when pursuing targets, nearly killing the intended sacrifice by way of a collapsed tree and almost sending Jubilee falling off a destroyed rope bridge (though Caliban did mess up her aim on the latter occasion).
- Mistreatment-Induced Betrayal: Caliban was hesitant about sacrificing Jubilee, but he was willing to find a replacement or offer up himself. It's Cortez's constant insults that finally prompt him to switch sides.
- My God, What Have I Done?: Caliban sensed a young mutant's presence and alerted the Hounds to the potential sacrifice. He's horrified to learn it's Jubilee, someone he considered a friend.
- My Significance Sense Is Tingling: As Jubilee approaches the bridge while talking, Caliban can sense her presence and feel her power level.
- Nice Job Fixing It, Villain: Cortez transforms Beast into a feral monster, but he does nothing to stop him from escaping into the jungle. He also passes up the chance to finish Caliban himself, preferring to let Apocalypse do so. Both of these moments come back to bite Cortez during the climax, allowing for Jubilee to be saved and him to end up on the altar in her place.
- No Name Given: The other three Hounds are never referred to by name.
- The Power of Friendship: In his feral state, Beast regains self-control after looking at photos of the team and of him and Jubilee on their trip.
- Race Against the Clock: The approaching celestial alignment gives Apocalypse's followers a chance to perform a ritual that would revive him. All they need is a suitable sacrifice on the altar at the specified time, so they feel the pressure to find a replacement when the intended guy escapes.
- Rage Breaking Point: After Cortez insults him one too many times, Caliban snaps during the ritual and attacks him.
- Save the Villain: Subverted. As the temple collapses, Beast wants to save Cortez and starts heading back in, but Jubilee says there's no time and pulls him away.
- Screw This, I'm Outta Here: As the temple starts coming apart, the other Hounds flee.
- Shut Up, Hannibal!: After Caliban helps free Jubilee.Cortez: You will not leave this place! Get back!
Jubilee: Get lost! [blasts him] - Take Me Instead: Caliban offers to be a sacrifice so that Jubilee will be spared.
- Tempting Fate: As Beast says he can't wait to get back home, Jubilee is dismissive and certain they have it better and safer out in the jungle. The Hounds catch up to them not long afterwards.
- This Cannot Be!:
- Beast over the "road sign of sorts" that he and Jubilee come across. He says the location, writing, and age don't line up with what is known about the history of the region.
- Beast over Cortez still being alive.
- Thou Shalt Not Kill: Averted. In his feral state, Beast is fully prepared to rip Cortez apart, despite Jubilee's protests. Cortez has to revert Beast to normal to get out of this.
- Token Good Teammate: Caliban for the Hounds, being the most concerned about what they're doing and ultimately trying to save Jubilee.
- Undying Loyalty: Cortez towards Apocalypse, and he suffers for it. The local tribe has also been worshipping Apocalypse for thousands of years.
- We Meet Again: At the temple.Beast: Fabian Cortez?!
Cortez: Dr. Henry McCoy. How flattering that you remember me. - You Have Failed Me:
- Apocalypse warns Cortez that this is the fate in store for him, if they miss the alignment.
- Since the Hounds failed to recapture the intended sacrifice, Cortez promises to finish Caliban if he fails to find the guy or a suitable replacement.
- You Owe Me: When chastising him for failure, Cortez reminds Caliban of how he gave him the chance to be more than a Morlock eking out a living in the sewer.
