Alt 4935, Part 2: Adventures of Cyclops & Phoenix

Grade: A-

I've grown to really like this limited series. I was not originally a fan, but I could not put it down this time around. It is a good tale that finally explains what happened to Nathan after X-Factor #68. Cyclops and Phoenix are brought to the distant future by their daughter (from yet another alternate timeline) to raise and protect a child that they thought they lost.

It is a future in which Apocalypse rules. We see this world through the eyes of his most loyal acolyte, Ch'Vayre. The prelate watches with disappointment as the mutant caste descent into decadents, and he worries about his leader's obsession to use Stryfe to defy death. It is no longer "survival of the fittest".

Gene Ha's unique style brings a distinctive touch to a well-written story. I was particularly drawn to Ch'Vayre and his growing disillusionment of a society and a leader that grew cruel and complacent generations after their victory.

**SPOILER ALERT**
This story opens with the Cyclops and Phoenix on their honeymoon. The couple get married in X-Men (v2) #30 which we won't be reading until Era #7. We will also see the possible origins of the Legacy Virus. We will see a lot of this deadly mutant plague from Era #6 through Era #9.  

[4-Stars] 1 - "Wish You Were Here!" Rachel pulls the telepathic essences of Cyclops and Phoenix into the future placing them into bodies that roughly mimic their own. The genetic matching provides them with limited versions of their powers they will need to protect Nathan. Taking the names Slym and Redd, they learn that the Askani cloned their son in case the techno-virus claims his life. The reunion is short as Prelate Ch'Vayre leads Apocalypse's overwhelming forces in an assault against the peaceful Askani cloister. The attack is designed to finally destroy the last resistance against Apocalypse and to take Nathan.

[4-Stars] 2 - "Tenure" It is years after the Askani massacre. Rachel is in a coma from the attack. Slym and Redd escaped with baby Nathan and now live among the humans secretly teaching their son how to control his powers. They also join a human resistance led by the enigmatic and influential cyborg known as Prior Turrin. Ch'Vayre took the cloned baby, he names Stryfe, believing it was Nathan cured of the techno-virus. The trusted prelate now worries that Stryfe is growing up too fast and becoming too violent and sadistic. Apocalypse reveals that he is deliberating accelerating the young mutant's abilities. The immortal desperately needs a new host body that will be strong enough to hold his power without burning out.

[4-Stars] 3 - "Through The Years" Eight years have passed and both Nathan and Stryfe continue to learn how to use their powers each tough by their respective "parents". Prior Turrin leads the human resistance in mission within an Apocalypse lab where Slym and Redd find an early version of the Legacy Virus. Unfortunately, the raid is a trap set by Ch'Vayre leading to a dealy firefight. It is during this battle that Nathan and Stryfe meet for the first time.

[4-Stars] 4 - "Sacrifice" Nathan's techno-virus nearly consumes him, but he has help from an unexpected source. Rachel has been guiding her brother from her coma. Her final lesson teaches him how to use his power to maintain a balance within his body. Slym tells Nathan that he will be the Cable that binds mutants past and present to Xavier's Dream. Meanwhile, Ch'Vayre decides it is time to stop Apocalypse from claiming Stryfe as his new host. The prelate joins Slym and Redd in a final attack against the immortal dictator.