The X-Men have always been defined as a found family, a group of nominal strangers from around the world united by their shared uniqueness as mutants. In most timelines, the original roster of X-Men -- Cyclops, Marvel Girl, Beast, Angel, and Iceman -- became foundational members of the mutant community and closely connected friends. Some timelines have even been doomed by their premature deaths.
But in the world of the Age of Apocalypse, all of them suffered grim reinventions that undercut some of their foundational stories and personalities in dark ways. Here's how Marvel's darkest alternate timeline completely reinvented the original X-Men.
Cyclops Became An Agent Of Apocalypse
On Earth-295, Scott and Alex Summers were both found by Mister Sinister and raised by the villain. Quickly proving himself a natural leader, Cyclops became a high-ranking agent of Apocalypses' empire -- even considered as a candidate for promotion to one of his top lieutenants. All this attention spurred a massive amount of resentment from his brother Havok, who increasingly became a bitter and vicious mutant.
Although the Cyclops proved to be more heroic than anyone expected -- helping humans escape captivity from Dark Beast and Mister Sinister's labs -- he still ultimately suffered a dark fate. In the aftermath of Apocalypses' fall and the ensuing chaos that came as a result, Cyclops went into hiding. Instead of becoming the leader he was known as in other worlds, Cyclops became a minion for the Death Seed-corrupted Weapon X and was later killed by Logan once his mind was restored.
Jean Grey Became Phoenix And Died Saving The Multiverse
Jean Grey initially was introduced as a former student of Magneto and Weapon X's lover. Although she became close with Cyclops during a period when they were both captured by Havok and the rest of Apocalypses' forces, her apparent death at the hands of Havok set the stage for a series of explosive changes for the freedom fighter.
Jean's connection with the Phoenix Force activated upon her apparent death, saving North America from a nuclear onslaught. She was captured and brainwashed by Mister Sinister to be pitted against the X-Men, and later became a major figure in the battle against the Death Seed-corrupted Weapon X. Jean became her world's most important hero, and also was the last, as she played a pivotal role in containing the Celestial creations known as the Exterminators. Unfortunately, this was at the apparent cost of the entirety of Earth-295, including herself.
Beast Became More Monstrous Than Ever
As in most worlds, the Hank McCoy of Earth-295 was a scientific genius. But in this timeline, where moral restraints were demolished by the ruthless worldview of Apocalypse, Beast never gained any semblance of kindness. As a result, Dark Beast became a monstrous tinkerer, using innocent people as guinea pigs while training at the feet of Mister Sinister.
Notably, Dark Beast was one of the handfuls of people to originally escape the Age of Apocalypse. As a result of reaching the M'kraan Crystal during a critical junction in the final battle between the X-Men and Apocalypse, Dark Beast was sent to Earth-616. There he became a reoccurring threat to the X-Men and his more heroic counterpart. Although the Earth-616 Beast has increasingly become just as grim as his counterpart.
Angel Played Both Sides Against One Another
The Angel of Earth-295 was able to utilize his natural charm and affluence to his advantage, quickly making a place for himself in the ruins of New York City. Angel ironically never got any serious connection to Apocalypse despite his history with the villain in the core Marvel Universe of Earth-616. Instead, he founded the nightclub Heaven, which served as neutral ground for Apocalypse's forces, the remnants of human society, and various underground figures like Nightcrawler and Gambit.
Serving as an information broker alongside his partner Karma, Angel initially played all sides of the conflict against one another. But after multiple spies were uncovered in his orbit -- including Karma, who ended up dying in his arms -- Angel ended up going out in a blaze of glory by charging into the airspace around Apocalypses' tower. But in the process, his demise helped allow X-Man to sneak by in the chaos of Angel's last flight, allowing him to take part in the final fight.
Iceman Was A Hero - Until He Wasn't
Iceman was the only one of the original five X-Men to still be a part of the team by the main events of the crossover. Under Magneto's tutelage, Iceman had become extraordinarily powerful but also far harsher of a character. Iceman was a powerful member of the X-Men for years and played an important part in bringing down Apocalypse.
But years of pressure and never-ending strife eventually led Iceman to turn his back on the team, and allied himself with Dark Beast and his Brotherhood. Iceman briefly escaped to Earth-616 but was hunted down and killed by his world's Nightcrawler, who'd joined X-Force partly to find the people who'd betrayed him and his fellow heroes. It's a far cry from the more friendly and heroic Iceman of Earth-616 and a reminder of how grim even consistent heroes can become in the wrong circumstances.