By Associated Press

NEW YORK–They saved the cheerleader, they saved the world — for now. But the superpeople of NBC’s “Heroes” return with a new round of intrigue next month.

Like, whatever happened to Hiro? In May’s first-season finale, the adventuresome time-traveler — who can bend the space and time continuum — found himself surrounded by samurai warriors in 17th century Japan as an eclipse darkened the sky. How ominous.

Be warned: stop reading if you don’t want any Season 2 spoilers.

As fans eagerly await the start of the new season, the cast members of “Heroes” have embarked on a world tour. Here’s Hayden Panettiere, who plays Claire Bennet, attending a photo call in London.

Here are (l-r) James Kyson Lee (Ando Masahashi), new “Heroes” Season 2 cast member Dania Ramirez (Maya Herrera) and Zachary Quinto (Sylar), posing with the new DVD of the show’s first season as they sign memorabilia for fans at the NBC Experience store on August 28 in New York.

Here are (l-r) Sendhil Ramamurthy (Mohinder Suresh), Ali Larter (Niki/Jessica Sanders), Masi Oka (Hiro Nakamura) and Greg Grunberg (Matt Parkman), acknowledging cheers from journalists during a press conference in Tokyo on August 27 prior to the “Heroes” premiere in Japan.

The four actors then went to Hong Kong on August 29. Here are Grunberg and Larter, whose characters faced off in the TV series, at the press conference.

With the Sept. 24 premiere approaching, cast member Lee, who plays Hiro’s sidekick Ando, offers these tidbits: The next chapter in the “Heroes” saga picks up four months after the near-destruction of the world. Hiro remains in ancient Japan; non-superpowered Ando is living in the present day. Still, the two will be in touch.

“There is going to be a really interesting channel of communication between us,” Lee tells The Associated Press.

“How that’s going to happen, you’ll have to find out on the 24th. But it will be a fascinating way of storytelling. And what happens in one timeline will affect the other,” he says.

The plot also thickens for other “Heroes”:

Noah Gray-Cabey, who plays the precocious son of good/evil single mom Niki (Larter), hints at bigger things for his character.

“I’ll say that Micah is definitely stepping out of his comfort zone,” he tells AP. “And he’s going to be meeting some new people, possibly even family.”

A new character named Maya (Ramirez) struggles with a developing power. Sound familiar?

“I have a brother, Alejandro, and we’re coming to the US to try to find out what’s going on with me,” Ramirez says. “I don’t fully understand what’s happening to me. However, my ability has me on the run.” With a report from INQUIRER.net

Editor’s note: Photos courtesy of Associated Press.