Rise of Apocalypse - Part II
Following Rama-Tut's devastating attack that claims Baal's life, Professor X and Magneto remain determined to prevent En Sabah Nur from becoming Apocalypse. Their mission, however, begins to unravel as their opposing philosophies, and the secrets each keeps from the other, push history closer to the very future they hoped to erase.
Warning: Spoilers Below
Apocalypse or Kang?
As En Sabah Nur grieves Baal's death, he discovers the X-Men survived Rama-Tut's assault thanks to a magnetic shield created by Magneto. Furious, Nur prepares to strike, but Professor Xavier calms the situation before violence erupts. The team is left questioning whether altering history is still the right choice or if they should return to their own era and allow events to unfold naturally. Before a decision can be reached, Magneto destroys Bishop's time-travel equipment, ensuring no one can leave.
Courtesy: Walt Disney Studios
Xavier continues building trust with Nur by revealing the future from which the X-Men come. Curious about his destiny, Nur allows Xavier to examine his mind, where the telepath encounters a mysterious constellation accompanied by the message, "Be eternal." Believing it holds the answers, Nur leads the group back to the ancient temple where he first witnessed the vision.
Meanwhile, Rama-Tut unveils a psychic helmet that allows him to communicate directly with Xavier. During their exchange, he reveals that Rama-Tut is only one of his many identities, including Kang. He argues that eliminating Apocalypse would spare the future from catastrophe, but Xavier immediately recognizes the cost. Preventing one tyrant would simply empower another, as Kang openly admits he intends to rule history himself. With negotiations over, Kang warns Xavier that Apocalypse's rise is now inevitable.
Inside the Celestial Temple
Upon entering the temple, the X-Men slowly realize the structure is far more than ancient ruins; it is the severed head of a Celestial. Splitting into smaller groups, they search for its power source while Nur feels drawn toward an unseen destination. Xavier and Bishop accompany him, while the remaining X-Men uncover a control center and make a startling discovery. They are standing inside Ship, the vessel that will one day serve Apocalypse.
Courtesy: Walt Disney Studios
As they press deeper into the complex, Xavier recognizes the symbols surrounding the throne room and urgently calls for Magneto. The inscriptions reveal that the future has already been written, and Nur finally understands the legends surrounding his destiny. Embracing what he believes is his purpose, he attacks Bishop before stepping onto the throne to begin his transformation into Apocalypse.
The Birth of Apocalypse
The X-Men attempt to intervene, but they are hopelessly outmatched. As Nur ascends, the Celestial known as Eson the Searcher offers him unimaginable power, completing his evolution into Apocalypse.
With their enemy now created, the team faces another impossible decision. Bishop wants to abandon the mission and return everyone to 1997 before history deteriorates further. Rogue doesn't want to leave, insisting they cannot walk away from the monster they helped unleash. Magneto steps in to be a villain so Bishop doesn't have to be one. Using his powers, Magneto sends Bishop, Rogue, Beast, and Nightcrawler back through time, while Xavier remains behind alongside him to confront Apocalypse themselves.
Kang Retreats
Now commanding Ship, Apocalypse immediately targets Rama-Tut's kingdom. Accepting that his own plans have failed, Rama-Tut abandons his pharaoh persona and fully embraces the identity comic readers know as Kang the Conqueror before departing Ancient Egypt. Before leaving, he tells Candra that something "external" will eventually challenge Apocalypse. It's a nice, subtle reference to the Externals from Marvel lore.
Courtesy: Walt Disney Studios
Xavier and Magneto launch one final effort to stop the newly born Apocalypse. Magneto appeals to Nur's humanity, hoping some trace of the man he once knew remains, while Xavier attempts to wrest control of Ship through its systems. The effort proves futile, as the vessel recognizes only Apocalypse as its master.
Magneto succeeds in throwing Apocalypse clear of the ship and forces Xavier to safety, choosing to remain behind and stop Ship from destroying a nearby city. He manages to divert the attack but is wounded from the effort and thrown at Xavier's feet. As Xavier crawls to his side, Apocalypse returns and executes Magneto before the Professor can intervene. Rather than killing Xavier as well, Apocalypse leaves him alive, twisting Magneto's own words into one final emotional wound: "Only a coward feels mighty when stepping on ants."
Bishop finally arrives moments after Magneto's death and brings Xavier back to 1997. Broken by everything they failed to prevent, Xavier quietly admits, "We couldn't stop him. We never stop him."
Weapon X Returns
The post-credits scene shifts to 1997, where Wolverine waits alone on a rooftop. Captain America and Black Widow arrive carrying classified files tied to the original Weapon X program. Although Captain America warns Logan against acting alone, Wolverine reveals he already has a team in mind and declares it's "time to get the band back together."
Final Thoughts
This episode firmly establishes Apocalypse as the season's central threat while raising even bigger questions about the battles still to come. The X-Men have already faced Apocalypse in their own timeline during the original series, but this version now carries the knowledge and power gained from these events, making him an even greater challenge.
The closing tease also opens the door for plenty of speculation. Wolverine's interest in Weapon X suggests his journey is far from over after losing his adamantium claws. And the appearance of Captain America and Black Widow hints that Marvel may continue expanding the show's roster of guest heroes. With Apocalypse's rise complete and multiple storylines beginning to converge, the season appears poised to escalate in a major way.
Check out X-Men '97 streaming exclusively on Disney Plus.
Article Written By: Jeremy Brown for Stelmach Brown Media 2026
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