Tim Kring had an exclusive interview with TV Guide and he revealed some information about the Finale and what lies ahead for Volume 3.

Kring says that the fates of Niki and Nathan have not been decided and are "up in the air", while Sylar (Zachary Quinto) will now return for Volume 3. Initially Quinto was supposed to miss most of the Vol. 3 production because of his role in the new Star Trek, but the strike delaying Vol. 3 allowed for the re-write to have Sylar return in Volume 3.

There are more details in my blog including the direction of Volume 3 so do not click on link if you do not want to be spoiled.

FULL DETAILS:

Kring Interview with TV Guide

I'm glad they've decided to stick with Sylar, he's the ultimate baddy! Hope Nathan will return. As for Nikki, although she's a great character, I cant see where the writers can go with her now as far as story lines go. Maybe they should have her 'as presumed dead', but make a re-appearance' somewhere down the line.

I got such a fright with Nathan! I hope Niki does come back, she finally got to be a proper hero! And it's awesome to have Sylar back. His stuff in volume two didn't do much for me.

nikki won't come back, she was blown to bits... that would've been too impossible.

Sylar is such a great vilain ! I only hold Alejandro death against him but he's cool !

i am over the moon sylar is coming back, and this time hes gona be even more evil its been a while since any heads have been sylar'd arghhh the good old days

I can't see Sylar being the 'ringleader' of a group of villains. Firstly, he's more of the 'wild card' type of character in that he prefers working alone and doesn't seem the leader type. Secondly, if Sylar comes into contact with them, he's more likely to slice their heads open and take their powers than to work with them. After all, his primary motivation is being 'special' which is in direct opposition to cooperating with a bunch of other people with powers.

Couldn't the "magic blood" save Nikki? Coldn't they save D.L as well with it.

THANK YOU, Strike
hahaha

I hope Nathan won't die, but I really don't mind Niki dying. She had her plot on S1, and didn't develop much more. It's kinda...boring. Only, poor Micah D:

good news about Sylar indeed. Well it's pretty clear Nathan has more of a chance to survive then Nicky

He may realize he'd need help to defeat a common enemy, be it Peter or the Company or some other character or organization. I'm thinking the still anonymous Kane will be the leader though.

Sylar will be a nuisance villain. Someone darker will come

unless she escaped through another exit before the place blew up..

I would like to see Sylar tracking down the people who injected him with the virus. Then meets Peter and gang along the way. finding out they're going after the same group of peeps.

And... yeah.

Exactly my thoughts. I don't want Nikki to die. They have kept a low profile for her this season so the least they could do for 3 is bring her back!

That would be fascinating to see. They don't even have to directly relate and certainly don't have to cooperate. In fact their chance meetings en route could be entirely coincidental. But I'd love to see Sylar go on a revenge spree with the same "take down the Company" goal as the rest of generation 2.

Agreed. Sylar is far more like the Joker than Lex Luthor. Meaning, he doesn't "play nicely" with others.
So, yeah, I can't really imagine him leading a Heroes-esque "Legion of Doom".