Heroes rise and fall in the shocking season finale written by executive producer/creator Tim Kring and directed by executive producer Allan Arkush -- With Isaac's (Santiago Cabrera) horrible predictions all unfolding before them, the everyday people with extraordinary abilities face moments of pain and peril in Kirby Plaza with unflinching heroism, as "Heroes" first volume comes to a close -- and the next surprisingly begins. Jack Coleman, Tawny Cypress, Noah Gray-Cabey, Greg Grunberg, Ali Larter, Masi Oka, Hayden Panettiere, Adrian Pasdar, Sendhil Ramamurthy, Leonard Roberts and Milo Ventimiglia also star. Clea Duvall, Lisa Lackey, James Kyson Lee, Missy Peregrym, Zachary Quinto, Richard Roundtree, George Takei and Adair Tishler guest star.

As Linderman arrives, Nathan considers the cost to win the election; Malcolm McDowell, Eric Roberts and George Takei guest star -- Poised to become a member of Congress and maybe more, Nathan (Adrian Pasdar) considers the cost to those he loves, along with his mother's (guest star Cristine Rose) advice and Linderman's (guest star Malcolm McDowell) prophecy. As he prepares to face Sylar (guest star Zachary Quinto) to the death, Hiro (Golden Globe nominee Masi Oka) learns of his linage from his father (guest star George Takei). While various "Heroes" fatefully arrive in New York City, Peter (Milo Ventimiglia) and Claire (Hayden Panettiere) attempt to leave the city before the foretold explosion. H.R.G. (Jack Coleman) and Matt (Greg Grunberg) learn the surprising truth behind the tracking system used on people with special abilities. Santiago Cabrera, Noah Gray-Cabey, Ali Larter, Sendhil Ramamurthy and Leonard Roberts also star. Matthew John Armstrong, Clea Duvall, Justin Evans, James Kyson Lee, Missy Peregrym, Eric Roberts, Rena Sofer, Adair Tishler and Jackson Wurth guest star.

As Nathan and his family ready for the election, Masi and Ando face the hard part of saving the world; Eric Roberts, Rena Sofer guest star. Now knowing what's at stake if they fail in their mission, Hiro (Golden Globe nominee Masi Oka) and Ando's (James Kyson Lee) determination to save the world is put to the test. Committed to the path, Nathan (Adrian Pasdar) takes some surprising steps to guarantee his election. Jessica (Ali Larter) and D.L. (Leonard Roberts) begin to learn how their family fits into Linderman's plans. Thompson (guest star Eric Roberts, "Less Than Perfect") brings someone new into his company's fold. With more and more blood on his hands, Sylar (guest star Zachary Quinto) visits his mom (guest star Ellen Greene). Santiago Cabrera, Jack Coleman, Noah Gray-Cabey, Greg Grunberg, Hayden Panettiere, Sendhil Ramamurthy and Milo Ventimiglia also star. Matthew John Armstrong, Justin Evans, Missy Peregrym, Cristine Rose, Rena Sofer ("24"), Adair Tishler, and Jackson Wurth guest star.

Having stolen the sword and teleported five years into the future, Hiro and Ando bear witness to a grim, harrowing future of the "Heroes".-- Thrown five years in the future, Hiro (Golden Globe nominee Masi Oka) and Ando (James Kyson Lee) discover that people with extraordinary abilities are not only widely known about -- after the destruction of New York City and the deaths of millions -- but are being registered, imprisoned, hunted and even killed as "terrorists." As the President takes his first step towards a "final solution," the pair get swept up in what could be the "Heroes" final battle and encounter a range of new and darkly familiar faces. If they survive the experience, can they still get back to the present and save the world? Santiago Cabrera, Jack Coleman, Noah Gray-Cabey, Greg Grunberg, Ali Larter, Hayden Panettiere, Adrian Pasdar, Sendhil Ramamurthy, Leonard Roberts and Milo Ventimiglia also star. Stana Katic, Jimmy Jean-Louis and Zachary Quinto guest star.

Serial killer Sylar's rampage continues -- Malcolm McDowell and Eric Roberts guest star -- After "helping" Suresh (Sendhil Ramamurthy) search for more people with special abilities, Sylar’s (guest star Zachary Quinto) rampage continues with two "Heroes" being confronted by the stronger-powered serial killer. Nathan (Adrian Pasdar) must factor what he’s learned from Linderman (guest star Malcolm McDowell) into difficult decisions that will shape the future -- for him, his family, New York City and the world. As Thompson (guest star Eric Roberts) uses every tool at his disposal to find Claire (Hayden Panettiere), Linderman drafts Jessica (Ali Larter) into his far-reaching plans. Meanwhile, Hiro's (Golden Globe nominee Masi Oka) resolve to "save the world" strengthens in the face of a grim reality. Santiago Cabrera, Noah Gray-Cabey, Jack Coleman, Greg Grunberg, and Milo Ventimiglia also star. Missy Peregrym and Cristine Rose also guest star.

Death, duplicity, and terrible glimpses of the future shake the "Heroes" -- Linderman is revealed and new "Hero" Candice Wilmer (Guest Star Missy Peregrym debuts) -- With the election and NYC's destruction looming, Nathan has a disturbing face-to-face meeting with the shadowy Linderman. Hiro's attempt to steal the sword steers him into a grim new direction. Suresh makes a breakthrough on "the list" -- at great cost. D.L. begins to suspect all is not well at home. Isaac paints his most terrible painting yet. New "hero" Candice Wilmer (guest star Missy Peregrym) makes an illusive debut.

Taken hostage by radioactive Ted Sprague and Matt, H.R.G.'s hidden past is revealed and nothing will ever be the same for Claire -- H.R.G.'s past catches up to him as Matt and Ted Sprague (guest star Matthew John Armstrong), come to Texas looking for answers, and take him, his wife, son and Claire hostage -- leading to a tragic, explosive showdown. Secrets are revealed and new threats to the "heroes" are introduced.

Unforeseen challenges and dangers strike the "Heroes" hard -- from NBC.com's "Heroes" graphic novel, a new "wireless" hero named Hana debuts -- Peter (Milo Ventimiglia) painfully learns that someone close may have betrayed him and Claude (guest star Christopher Eccleston). Matt’s (Greg Grunberg) world spirals out of control when radioactive man Ted Sprague (guest star Matthew John Armstrong) and Hana Gitelman (guest star Stana Katic), a fierce young woman with "wireless" mental abilities, drop into his life. After blood is spilled, Hiro (Golden Globe nominee Masi Oka) makes a difficult decision about his mission. Claire (Hayden Panettiere) is unable to contain her anger at her father (Jack Coleman).

As Matt and Suresh face grave danger, the scandalous truth about Claire's real father is revealed -- Christopher Eccleston and Jessalyn Gilsig guest star -- While the scandalous truth about Claire’s real father is revealed, her adoptive mother (guest star Ashley Crow) faces a crisis. Matt takes a job as a bodyguard for a crooked attorney (guest star Kevin Chamberlin), which puts him in the crosshairs of Linderman’s new assassin. Hiro (Golden Globe nominee Masi Oka) and Ando (guest star James Kyson Lee) return to Las Vegas to find the sword, but get sidetracked by a damsel in distress (guest star Missi Pyle). Suresh finds someone on the list and unknowingly puts himself in grave danger. Meanwhile, Simone turns to some unlikely help in her and Nathan’s struggle to find Peter.

With their new paths becoming clearer, some "Heroes" family relationships are driven apart -- George Takei, Christopher Eccleston, and Jessalyn Gilsig guest star -- Hiro (Golden Globe nominee Masi Oka) struggles to make his father (guest star George Takei), a corporate tycoon, and ambitious sister (guest star Saemi Nakamura) understand his new heroic path in life. Niki (Ali Larter) has a chance to be with D.L (Leonard Roberts) and Micah (Noah Gray-Cabey) again, but will she really be with them? Claude (guest star Chris Eccleston) attempts to teach Peter (Milo Ventimiglia) to harness his abilities, but the process could shatter Peter’s faith in those closest to him. Determined to find her birth mother (guest star Jessalyn Gilsig), Claire (Hayden Panettiere) makes her way to a trailer park in Texas. Meanwhile, Sylar (guest star Zachary Quinto) makes a shocking move against H.R.G. (Jack Coleman) -- and his family.