[User]
<image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image>
Provide a full summary of the comic book.

[Assistant]
Should Auld Acquaintance
It’s a stormy Christmas Eve at the west coast of Britain around 11.30 PM but Brian Braddock and Meggan are snuggling in front of the fireplace in their lighthouse. This is how Christmas should be, a contented Meggan announces, with mince pies, brandy and no interruptions. He really wishes she hadn’t said that, Brian sighs as that moment there is a knocking at the door.
Curious at who could be calling that late, the both of them fly down to find an unexpected visitor indeed: Dai Thomas, Brian exclaims. Aggressively, the other man exclaims he is flattered that the Captain should remember him. It’s been a long time. Don’t bother denying that he is Captain Britain, he continues. He figured it out some time ago and he’s kept track of him ever since. Routine police work, really, but then he supposes Braddock thinks all police men are stupid. No, just him, Brian retorts.
Thomas snarls at him not to push it. He doesn’t have Braddock’s pedigree but he’s more than a boyo from the valley with nothing but coal dust between his ears! He… He turns away and apologizes. It was very difficult for him to come there. He’s had to swallow his pride and a fair amount of Dutch courage. He’ll… get to the point.
There has been a series of exceptionally brutal and inexplicable murders up in Glasgow. All twenty-seven victims were known villains, so it’s logical to suspect some sort of gang war. He wants the Captain to pose as the emissary of a crime syndicate moving into the Glasgow area. Hopefully, whoever is behind the murders will feel threatened enough to come after him.
But why does he need him? Brian asks. Surely catching murderers is “routine police work”… This is no ordinary murder. Thomas insists. All the victims have been horrendously mutilated and at incredible speed. Meggan looks horrified while Brian’s stance doesn’t soften. One was alone for less than a minute, yet he was virtually dismantled. A butcher with a chainsaw couldn’t inflict that much damage so quickly. Another victim was carrying a nine millimeter Uzi; he fired a burst of approximately twenty rounds at his attacker. Eighteen bullets were recovered. Seven were sliced or shredded. Four were flattened and three were fused into a sphere.
Now he’s lost three men, real pros who wouldn’t have taken any unnecessary risk, all were mutilated before they could call for radio assistance. After thirty years on the force, he thought he’d seen everything but he can’t begin to imagine what sort of evil monstrosity is behind this. He’s scared, he admits, and has nowhere else to run. Please, he has to help him…
Darkmoor:
Captain UK has fallen asleep in the snow leaning against one of the stones of the stone circle. She awakes when she hear a flash of energy. Roma has teleported in. Linda apologizes for falling asleep while waiting. Roma simply states she dreamt of her husband. A nightmare, Linda states remembering. Her husband Rick sent her here when her Earth was being destroyed. She watched the Fury kill him.
Roma states that she has been forced to summon her as a result of her husband’s actions. She is not of this world. Her presence is an anomaly that has prevented this continuum from healing the wounds inflicted by the Jaspers creature. The deformed children called Warpies continue to be born. The Crazy Gang’s insanity survives to pollute the innocence of this land when it should have perished with its creator. Linda cannot remain or the decay will persist! Roma teleports both of them away to Otherworld.
December 25th. 7.30 A.M..
Dai Thomas awakes to a strange show. Captain Britain dressed ludicrously in what he believes to be tough guy attire - complete with a toothpick between the teeth and a “kiss me quick” hat  - telling him he doesn’t like snoring, so he’s gonna waste him. Get up, pig, and take it like a man!
Meggan shakes her head. That won’t scare a Glasgow godfather. It sounds too corny. Can’t he try to be a bit more like Clint Eastwood? Clint who? is the reply. Thomas protests this isn’t a game. Meggan suggests she could do the talking. Play it hard and bitchy. Like Joan Collins. She is living proof that television causes irreparable brain damage, he laughs.
Can’t they be serious? Thomas protests while Meggan wonders how to wear her hair. She tries several looks.  Blonde temptress. A cute darkhaired woman and finally decides on a bushy auburn look. While looking for clothes, she orders Brian to find something macho. How did she do that? Dai asks Brian who admits he isn’t sure yet. Meggan’s powers are still developing. Among her many capabilities is the ability to manipulate her form. He’d have thought, Thomas would have known about that as the leader of the campaign against superhumans.
Christmas at Braddock Manor with the Warpies some of whom Betsy is cuddling. Gabriel, who’s been playing Santa, talks about her recovery with Alison. Both agree that Betsy’s recovery has been remarkable. Though it’s more due to her spirit than to Jeeves. Recently, he’s been entirely devoted to Emma Collins…
In the kitchen, Jeeves suggests Emma watch the children open the presents. He has all the preparations in hand. With her gone, agent Michael asks Jeeves why he tolerates her. She’s a waste of space. She spends most of her time asleep anyway. Somberly Jeeves agrees. That alerted him to her condition. Prior to the Captain’s return in 1982 Mastermind malfunctioned for a period of seven years. During that time, he took control of Emma’s mind and held her in thrall. The experience caused a great deal of damage to her nervous system. Her condition is deteriorating. He has exhausted all of his resources in an attempt to find a cure but there is nothing he can do to save her. She will die within next year. Steady on, Jeeves, Michael tells him, he’s a computer generated solid light hologram. He sounds like a love-sick mortal. Jeeves just looks sad.
Glasgow, December 26th. 5.45 P.M.:
Meggan, in her new look, and her macho guard, Brian, are meeting with gangster McShane. Meggan informs him that she will be taking over his organization. McShane orders them outside. Brian smashes apart his desk and some other things. Meggan calls after her to remember what she said and sorry about the mess.
They get into Thomas’ car, giggling that was fun. They’ll see if they still feel the same after performing the same stunt at 34 other addresses, he warns them.
Outside Braddock manor at nighttime Betsy and Gabriel are taking a walk. Betsy adamantly refuses Gabriel’s offer for a viewing apparatus that would look ridiculous. When he points out it’s better than being blind she explains she isn’t blind. Her psychic powers more than compensate for her lack of sight. It’s like being able to… smell color… to… taste form and to… hear distance. It makes her feel sorry for people that are restricted to vision. All she wants now is to be with him and to leave the manor. It isn’t her home anymore. Gabriel is looking forward to the change of scenery. Switzerland is beautiful, Betsy agrees, and Alison’s chateau is straight out of a fairytale. It’s the ideal place for a holiday. Or a honeymoon? Gabriel suggests,
In the caverns beneath Braddock manor, Jeeves shows Michael a synthetic doppelganger he made of himself to accompany Emma on a little cruise he has planned for her. He isn’t leaving but he cannot project holograms outside the manor’s outer boundaries and it will allow him to dispense of this solid light façade, which he created solely for Emma’s benefit. Lady Roma has informed him that the cause of the Warpies has been removed and no more will be born. He is instructed to protect and prepare those that already exist for the challenge of their future. He turns to his Mastermind body. Michael and the RCX may remain to assist him in that ask, but be advised, he is in control of the situation.
Glasgow, december 30th 6.30 pm:
Dai, Cap and Meggan are staying in an unused abattoir. Dai has made sure the local grapevine knows that they are there to receive a consignment of heroin. What’s wrong with a hotel? Brian sighs. Dai points out he wants any confrontation with a superbeing away from innocent bystanders.
Inside, they get comfortable. Brian dresses in his Captain Britain uniform and Meggan complains about her high heels. When Thomas asks, she explains that she is usually flying. They only walk to appear normal in public.
Later, they have ordered Indian food and Brian asks why the Chief Inspector of Scotland Yard is operating in Glasgow. Dai reveals that the old school tie disapproved of his “abrasive attitude.” He was putting too many noses out of joint. He was promoted to a newly formed national investigation unit. You know what they say: “Upward and outward.”
Later still, around midnight, Brian and Dai are downing beers while Meggan is asleep. Thomas reveals it sickens him that organisations like the RCX are allowed to operate in this country. They are corrupt. They pervert the law. They have found common ground there. Brian remarks that the RCX wormed their way into his home, took it over and turned his sister against him and very nearly killed her. That’s why he and Meggan moved to the lighthouse.
Later still – on a first name basis by now – Dai remarks the press made his campaign against the superhumans sound unreasonable. They made him sound like a fool because he protested when his wife was murdered by the careless stupidity of brawling “superheroes.” He knows how easily it can happen, Brian admits. But he didn’t ask for the power or the responsibility.
4.30am:
Dai tells him that he’s smashed up the premises of every criminal outfit- they are bound to want revenge. It’s only a question of time till the executioner turns up. In fact, the grapevine has already confirmed their impending death. They call the assassin Shoulders McGill. He hopes he is not as big as he sounds, Brian jokes.
On Otherworld, Roma informs Captain UK that the tyrant Mastrex Opul Lun Sat-yr-nin is massacring her own people. Linda recalls Brian telling her about her. She rules the world of Kaptain Briton, the doppelganger of Brian whom Betsy killed. Roma reveals that world desperately needs a captain. And since Linda is a captain without a world, there is an obvious solution. Linda decides she hasn’t any other pressing engagements. She might as well give it a go.
To show her gratitude, Roma has a gift. She asks Linda to think of her husband. Their last moments together. Linda recalls those painful moments and describes them.
Captain UK’s narration:
The Fury was slaughtering her world’s heroes… it was unstoppable. She and her husband were terrified. Rick said the teleporter was their only chance. While Linda was already in the teleporter booth, Rick put in the coordinates, his back turned on the Fury. It lunged at Rick, who simply disappeared… For a moment, the Fury was confused but then it continued the slaughter.
present:
Linda breaks off. She doesn’t understand. She remembers it happening like that but it didn’t! It did, Roma tells her, because she reached back in time to the instant before his death and brought him here. With a happy cry, Linda and Rick are reunited. With a smile, Roma leaves the two lovers alone.
Glasgow, December 31st 11:55pm:
Dai Thomas finds an old vagrant sitting in the warehouse and tells him he can’t doss here. The vagrant replies he has business here. A message for the tart and the big man. Tell him, Dai replies, he’ll pass it on. If he’s with them, the man states and snaps open his case, the message is for him as well. The Lord blessed him with a child. An angel. His death! Glittering scythes of sweet release! It is his mission, he chose him and gave him broad shoulders to carry the burden and carry it with pride. Shoulders McGill is proud to do the Lord’s work!
Time slows for Dai Thomas. He has grown careless under the protection of the Captain. He had felt secure but now he is alone as the monster emerges from the cage. A moment later, Cap shoves it away. He tells Dai to get outside with Shoulders.
He and Meggan stay, although the blades of the thing hurt Cap’s shoulder. He tells Meggan to shush, as they listen for the creature. Suddenly, its bladed tentacles slice at his arm. Again he slaps it away and it tries to attack his head. Next is Meggan’s turn to swat it away. Brian suggests they stay still and let it think it has them beaten. When it attacks again, Cap hits it so hard it is killed.
Later outside, Shoulders is taken into custody. Thomas informs Brian and Meggan that the McCloud brothers sent him. Convinced him he was on a sacred purge of the underworld and gave him a bottle of whisky for each rival he eliminated. He’s completely insane. He claims that creature was his son! It must have been a Warpie, Cap and Meggan realize.
Dai admits that Brian saved his bacon in there; he thought he was dead. Cap admits he had some rough moments himself. But Cap beat it, while he turned into gibbering jelly, Dai admits. He owes him a lot. He misjudged him… he’s not very good at making speeches. Well, don’t, Cap tells him. He was glad he could help. It gives his power purpose. Then he won’t mind if he calls again next time he’s in trouble? Dai asks. Not at all, Brian replies. They are on the same side. They say goodbye and Cap and Meggan fly away.
On Earth 838, Captain UK (with some help by Rick) has taken down Sat-yr-9 and her mad regime.
In Switzerland, Betsy and Gabriel vacation along with Alison.
At Braddock Manor, Michael helps Mastermind take care of the Warpies, while another aspect of Mastermind in the form of Jeeves accompanies Emma on her cruise.
And at the lighthouse, Brian and Meggan take a deserved rest.


[User]
<image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image>
Provide a full summary of the comic book.

[Assistant]
The Guns of Avalon – part 1
The hero will return.
The Sword will be drawn again.
The land will be healed
MI13 holding cell, Shoreditch, London Docklands.
Held by special chains, a bruised and beaten prisoner sits in the cell, an unassuming man with an uncanny resemblance to late Beatle John Lennon. He is flanked by two guards.
An elderly man in a trenchcoat with a portfolio enters the cell and remarks there John is. Addressing the guards, he states that he thought his orders were clear. He has urgent business elsewhere. This Skrull has been tortured enough. Please kill it for him now.
John the Skrull angrily jumps up, getting as close to the man as possible. He shouts at him that he’s looked like this since 1963. He always said he was a Skrull. They were a bit of fun, the four of them. “Skrull Beatles.” They were silly and great. He worked for him, he reminds the other man and calls him a tosser. In Pete Wisdom’s unit, not that he ever visited. And now he’s killed the other three and John doesn’t know why.
The guards are a bit perplexed about the killing order. They’ve received conflicting orders. Conflicting? Grimsdale asks with a raised eyebrow. He is the joint intelligence committee chair. He rules “five,” “six” and “thirteen.” Has the Prime Minister’s office got involved? No, he tells himself. How could he? Never mind. Grimsdale informs John that he disgusts him, looking like that. How ridiculous. If they don’t feel able to… he addresses the guards and one of them hands him a gun. Grimsdale steps close to John and tries to shoot him in the head. Surprised, he finds the weapon is empty.
John begins to grin. He’s close enough, Pete, he suddenly says. It’s true. Helterskelter.
The Hero will return.
Pete Wisdom appears behind Grimsdale and literally tears him apart with hotknives springing from his fingertips. As the light leaves Grimsdale’s eyes, to nobody’s surprise, he is revealed to be a Skrull.
 The Sword will be drawn.
Pete touches his forehead in irritation, as he alone hears the odd voice. He thanks John for the help. The other Skrulls all came out of hiding… but Grimsdale hung on to kill the traitor, John continues. Has the war started, like? Mate, Pete sighs, it’s on and they are not doing so well.
Over the roofs of London, an air battle takes place with fighter jets and the nation’s foremost hero, Captain Britain, battling Superskrulls displaying the powers of diverse heroes. Cap is slugging a Skrull who has the powers of several former Champions (Angel’s wings, iceman’s icepowers and Ghost Rider’s blazing skull) while a Baron Blood vampire- like Skrull is getting ready to join the fray.
Cap forces the iced up arm upwards, causing the Skrull to dampen his blazing skull, then he smashes the alien’s face. During that battle, he is contacted via commlink by Alistaire Stuart in the PM’s office, asking for a sitrep.
Cap explains that the Skrulls are targeting transport links. Roads and airports. And causing chaos in the centre. For everyone he puts down, there are two more. Why are they hitting Britain so hard? Unknown, comes the reply, followed by an update that a Skrull force is turning north. The vampire Skrull decides to follow, as do most of the ground forces.
Should he pursue? Captain Britain asks. Alistaire orders him not to and to come in instead. They are putting an op together. They have to get on the front foot and see what they can to save the nation. Captain Britain flies towards the PM’s office.
Down in the streets amidst the chaos, a young Muslim woman, wearing a headscarf and a doctor’s coat, watches him in admiration before she chides herself to come on. She addresses a group of paramedics carrying wounded and asks if they can get the injured out of the city. St. Thomas is being evacuated. The access roads are blocked, she is told. Then they’ll do battle triage there, she decides and gets down to examine the first patient.
The two men are clearly shaken wondering why this is happening here. He’d thought they’d go after the States. They’ve got all the bloody superheroes. The doctor replies that she saw Captain Britain just now. Easily one of his top ten battles – it was awesome!
Top ten… one of the men repeats incredulously. It was up there with the Lord Hawk one, she raves. She so loves British heroes! Cap, the Knights of Pendragon, Dikitek…
She is unaware of an armed Skrull vehicle coming in behind them. Tch, he bets he’s not even in the top five, comes the insulted voice of the Black Knight (now combining his traditional helmet with a leather jacket and street wear), as he skewers the would-be-attacker with his Ebony Blade.
It’s because he only lives here, right? he goes on. And please don’t yell “The Avengers are here. We’re saved!” He takes off his helmet. Don’t get him started on that. What can he do?
He can… the doctor starts before realizing the situation. He’s the Black Knight and he wants her to give him orders! Right. Okay. She needs everyone in this area to either be a patient, be helping or … go away. Only… if the Ebony Blade starts telling him to do evil stuff… he’ just gotta…
It does all the time, Dane Whitman replies with a smile, but he just keeps asking himself: What would a superhero do? Then he rolls his eyes and does the right thing anyway. He suggests she not believe everything she reads in Super Magazine. He has a strategy now: stay flippant and it can’t get him.
The doctor shakes his hand and introduces herself as Doctor Faiza Hussain. Okay Faiza, the Knight replies, she does the hard work and he’ll steal the glory. Yeah okay, Faiza replies starstruck.
Wisdom, Captain Britain, John the Skrull, and Alistaire Stuart have gathered in the Prime Minister’s office. Prime Minister Gordon Brown thanks them and reveals that the home secretary was a Skrull. His cabinet is now… there’s three of them. As they speak, Captain Midlands (another member of MI 13) and Union Jack are with ground forces mustering to secure crucial targets in London. All British superheroes now work for MI 13, like it or not. He decides that Peter is now in charge of thirteen with Grimsdale gone. He directly answer to the PM. Wisdom acknowledges this with a curt “Sir.”
The PM asks Stuart to explain the situation. Hovering over an electronic map, Alistaire explains that the bulk of the Skrull British op is assembling in the Cheviot Hills. Odd choice. Nothing of strategic value nearby. They’ve notified the Scottish First Minister. Oh my, God, Captain Britain mutters. The Siege Perilous! He points to the map. It’s where he got his powers. It’s a gateway to Otherworld, to Avalon!
Your new model extremist Skrull, John scoffs. They’re polite with it, but they’re all about the wanting. They want summat we’ve got. What Britain has more of than anyone else, Pete realizes. Magic! They invade Avalon, they take the magic!
The PM realizes that it’s not just about them then. They have a responsibility to the world. He informs the three heroes that they will be joined by one other in transit. Wisdom acknowledges this while touching his forehead. He hears the voice again.
The sword will be drawn again.
The PM continues that they will secure Avalon against invasion. Muster its inhabitants against the Skrulls. They will use every resource before the Skrulls can. John remarks he likes the PM’s trust. Hasn’t got the words. Not without breaking character.
Cap more practically asks who the other hero to join them is. It turns out it’s the superspeedster Spitfire who’s just being informed about her new mission while being chased by a Defenders-based and an original Avengers-based Superskrull each. In order to get rid of them, she’s going to have to do something she doesn’t want to. She jumps up to the Defenders Skrull, telling him this is their fault. Surprisingly, she bites him in the throat and then tears it out. Wiping his green blood from her mouth, she continues this isn’t who she is. It’s just who she has to be sometimes! She attacks the second Superskrull.
In the meantime, a helicopter transports the other three heroes to the Cheviot Hills. So, chain of command, Brian remarks about Wisdom’s promotion. Yeah, he’s in charge, Wisdom replies absent-mindedly, diverted by the voice only he hears. The land will be healed..
He apologizes. He knows he and Brian had their differences. Brian is in an amenable mood. He is not a soldier, he explains. Killing Skrulls… it has to be done, but he loathes it. It’s not what he’s for. He used to have insight into the future… but the future has changed. He leans back. So he has to make his own way. He no longer belongs to any corps. He wants to be the British hero again. He wants to represent like Steve Rogers did. When they’ve won that’s what he’ll be doing.
Mate, Wisdom replies, you never stopped. But funny he should say that, Pete confides. He’s getting… words in his head. About bringing “hero” back. He wouldn’t tell anyone else, but, odd as it sounds, he’s pretty sure it’s about Brian. Cap becomes excited. It’s been a long time since any of their lot had a vision. Pete follows that, he says as he shakes Pete’s hand, and he will follow Pete.
Back in the ruins of London, the Black Knight leads Faiza to some citizens he has helping in the search for survivors. So if she’s not completely bored with blood and gore… Right, Faiza gets to work examining the wounded. Does he really hold off the Ebony Blade evilfying him by being all flippant? She asks. It’s… a character he plays now, Dane replies. It seems to help. It doesn’t give the sword anything to latch on to. Either that, or it’s a mid-life crisis.
Unnoticed by them, a Skrull Weapon takes aim and fires at Faiza. She screams and falls. Dane quickly destroys the weapon, but too late.
Near the Cheviot Hills the chopper is attacked and torn in two. Cap grabs Pete and John sprouts wings. Brian looks at the burning husk of the chopper. The pilots… he ventures. No! They’re dead, Pete shouts. And they’ve got contact. A Squadron Supreme and a monster Skrull. He loves you, the latter spouts the mysterious gospel of the fanatic Skrulls.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, John replies sarcastically. Look at you, the fundamentalists. Who do you lot have the powers of then? Anyone I could take on? Abba? Frankie goes to Hollywood? No? Well that makes him laugh. Everything about them Skrulls says they are meant to fit in. They attack.
That moment, the heroes are joined by Spitfire. Why just two Skrulls here, she wonders. They are surrounding this place. Hundreds. Maybe a code of honour thing? Cap suggests. Fabulous, Jaqueline replies, then they can have an honourable death.
The heroes split up with Pete and Spitfire taking care of the monster Skrull and John and Cap finishing off the Squadron Skrull.
A Skrull Assault ship nearby in low orbit launches a missile. John begins to swear a moment later, as he sees a signal device in the belt of one of the dead Skrulls going off. They were just trying to keep them there. Incoming!
They’re not invading the Siege Perilous, Cap realizes, they want to destroy it. Wisdom orders Cap and Spitfire as the fastest members to get them all away.
Some distance away Cap puts down Wisdom and decides they will be safe here. What does he mean “you?” Pete asks. He was once king of Otherworld, Brian replies. But that apart, only he stands a chance of carrying out their orders. If he can divert that missile, he saves magic, maybe the world. That’s what Captain Britain’s for. Pete is silent for a moment. Go, he orders him curtly and Captain Britain flies off. I s’pose I just about told him… I love what he’s for, Pete muses.
My champion. My Captain.
The missile has almost reached its destination, the Siege Perilous. Cap flies in from the other side at top speed.
The young lion of London.
You were always full of doubt.
The doubt appropriate to a hero of many worlds.
Captain Britain is too late and the missile explodes.
But the time for doubt is done…
And Brian is caught in the detonation.
And now is the time of sacrifice


[User]
<image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image>
Provide a full summary of the comic book.

[Assistant]
The Guns of Avalon – part 2
Everywhere in Britain people mourn. Grown-ups no matter of what background, just cry, young boys lash out in rage, others watch the nuclear mushroom of the Skrulls’ bomb’s detonation of the Siege Perilous in silent sorrow. As do Pete Wisdom, Spitfire and John the Skrull. When Captain America died, Americans heard it in an American way. Through the media. When Captain Britain died, the British felt it in their chests.
The Skrulls have closed all entrances to Avalon except on one of their spacecrafts. That done, they now begin to invade Otherworld, to take the humans’ magic by the throat. If they have souls, they will belong to the Skrulls.
Somewhere in London, lying in the rubble, Dr. Faiza Hussain awakes having just dreamed of a sword. She moans and holds her head. The Black Knight happily exclaims that she’s okay. Startled, Faiza lashes out in reflex. Odd energy springs from her hands. She gets up, apologizing. She just kind of went to… pieces! she mutters horrified as she sees what she’s done to him. Dane Whitman is frozen in a state where all of his organs, epidermis, nerves, entrails are neatly taken apart from his skeleton and nevertheless he is alive and apparently not in pain. What did she just do? he shouts.
Faiza cries out horrified and looks at her hands. What did she do? She zapped the Black Knight! How did she do that? She tries to remember the feeling, zaps him again and luckily restores him to normal.
That was … interesting, he mutters. “Tell me everything’s tucked in.” Faiza touches him and babbles. She did that? She’s got the power to do that? That machine… did that to her. So she’s got superpowers now? Only it’s just very – okay. No, being grateful. Powers: good. But what is she, Take-Bodies-Apart-Woman? Cause she was that already. Does he think that’s why… she’s babbling, isn’t she?
She looks sorrowful as she admits that somehow she knows Captain Britain is dead. And there’s something about a sword. He feels it too, the Knight replies and mourns his friend Brian. They were comrades in arms in Otherworld. They were together in so many battles…
Skrulls have snuck up on them and shoot. Reflexively he fends the shot off with his shield.
At Darkmoor, John the Skrull is supporting Spitfire who is still reeling. She can feel Captain Britain’s loss. So can John. It’s like the Skrulls just won, he admits.
Bollocks they have, Pete Wisdom returns icily. And not another word about him. Not until they’ve won. The Skrulls destroyed the Siege Perilous. They need another way into Avalon. Options. Calling Pete “Sir,” Spitfires admits that she doesn’t know much about magic, but to get power you need to leave yourself open to harm.
Make a connection, make a sacrifice, the voice that only Pete hears says.
“Make a connection, make a sacrifice,” Jaqueline  Falsworth-Crichton ends her suggestion with the same words. Right, Pete decides, he’s gonna do something embarrassing now. He asks Jaqueline not to call him Sir. It’s weirdly horny. Wilco Sir, comes the reply.
Pete sinks to his knees and begins calling: Tink! Tinkabelinos Hardleg! I claim Audience under our treaty. And… I beg, erm, forgiveness. For what I put you through. For – you know…  mistakes made in the bedroom department. I owe you and offer the sacrifice… of my dignity. Tink, please.
Before him in the air Tink manifests, wearing a vest of armour and a skirt and holding a sword to Pete’s neck. She is not amused. Now he’s citing the treaty? Avalon is being invaded thanks to them. Now is not a good time, yeah?
London could be gone by now, Pete explains. But they are not there because their orders are to link up with Avalon’s armed forced and fight the Skrulls. Brian Braddock was with them. He died for this. Tink senses it. Then that dynasty is over. They are the last. Lady of the Lake, she mutters, they are the last. She opens the door to Avalon for them and vows the Skrulls are gonna pay for Braddock. They’re gonna pay ten for one. They’re gonna have to!
In Avalon, the battle had already started. Fairy beings are fleeing from the Skrull attack. This is bad, Pete mutters. Avalon is the collective British unconscious, the soul of the nation. It’s part of Otherworld, the access point to every other universe. Alistaire thinks it’s where all the magic is from, ‘cause of that. But this means this lot aren’t ready for a technological invasion And indeed the magical beings are having a hard time prevailing against the Superskrulls.
In London, the Black Knight wildly battles, shouting, “For the Lady! For the Lady!” Do they now who they are fighting? This is an Avenger they are fighting. Even if they don’t want him! Even if the world’s gone to hell and Brian’s dead and his love forgot him and nobody’s a hero anymore! The Ebony Blade still says hello! he shouts as he buries it within a Skrull’s chest.
Suddenly, he notices silence. The rest of the Skrulls are standing frozen around, with their arms literally dissolved into layers of skin, flesh and bone. Faiza admits somewhat embarrassed that she finished this battle. Ashamed he takes off his helmet. She shouldn’t have seen that. Happens sometimes. Try not to… He looks at her: the Skrulls; are they dead? No, they just can’t move until she says, Faiza explains. Dunno how she’s doing it. It’s easier with these guys. She quickly adds that he won’t kill them. She took the Hippocratic Oath. “Do no harm” and, erm, religious stuff. And that’s the superhero stuff to do, right? Sorry. Dane smiles at he and tells her not to apologize for that. He suggests they find what’s left of the military.
In Avalon, Tink has led them to Oberon, her giant of a father who is closing the doors to other universes. He’s just closing the last, Tink tells them, door to the dark where supernatural evil comes from. At least the Skrulls won’t be able to use Avalon as a bridgehead. It’s a fallen world! Oberon bemoans. Where were the heroes? How did they let this happen? How did you let this happen, breaker of oaths? he accuses Wisdom.
Not having it, Pete retorts that they are up to their necks in Skrulls. But they remembered the treaty: mutual protection. Here they are. Now, he’s lost a couple of people he cares about in quick succession and he’s taking no more bollocks from Oberon. He’s got this voice in his head. It’s half like Gandalf, and half Mr. Kipling. Who is that?
He must not follow it, Oberon warns him. He points to a closed doorway. It’s the mad one, the demon who killed his own child and led everyone to destruction. The higher evolutionaries of all the worlds have only just succeeded in confining him to the dark realms.
Oh, right. Him, Pete replies. Well, he’s gonna stop following that voice then, obviously.  He can tell when he’s lying the voice remarks, audible only to Pete. What can they do to help? Pete asks. There may be hope, Oberon admits. A small hope which he doesn’t understand. In a cave near here the sword has appeared. They know its name. They have to find the cave, Pete decides. What does it look like?
Fool! Oberon exclaims. What does his daughter see in him? Like a Cave! Like everything there, it looks different to different people at different times. They will find it if they are meant to. Oberon turns away, joined by Tink. He must lead his army. The Skrulls are marching on the Green Chapel, the heart of magic to which all magic here has retreated. If they win today, the human world is what it is without them. Dust and death. And all is fallen.
Pete, John and Spitfire go looking for the cave. If this is what she thinks it is, Jackie remarks, last time she encountered it was in Downing Street in 1955. Churchill was giving up office. He’d asked to see it. Just once. A friend, a mage called Mortigan Goth, brought it. It was late. Churchill was a little drunk, crying. Actually he did that so openly. They all did that night. They were looking at something… eternal, she supposes, but also about them. About what they’d been though and how time was going to overtake them anyway but not Excalibur.
They have reached the mouth of the cave and within they see a sword in a stone. In a stone again, Pete remarks. That’s how the British think of it, that’s what they get. Okay, someone. John tries to draws it to no avail. It’s not budging for aliens or scousers, he concludes.
Pete suggests Jac give it a try. She’s nobility and has been doing this for…
She turns away and refuses, She’s not worthy. That’s all there is to it. ‘Kay, Pete decides. It has to be him then; he’s worthy. He has to be. He pulls with all his might, but it doesn’t move. So what’s the bloody point then! he cries. Why lead them here? They all know who could take the sword. But he’s dead!
He’s learned a great lesson of magic, today the voice tells him, directly addressing Pete. Do try and survive to make use of it. That moment, Skrulls attack them.
Tink, Pete thinks aloud, they really should have gone with their lot. Aboard their ship, the Skrulls use anti-magic weapons and shields to eliminate magical targets like the Lady of the Lake. Later, they attack the Green Chapel and decapitate the Green Knight, who strangely offered minimal resistance.
The Skrulls then locate all magical items they can get their hands on such as the Amulet of Right and the Sword of Might to prevent the creation of any further Captain Britains, as well as the Holy Grauil.
Together, these and other items are placed into a converter and merged. The resulting single totem, a chain, is given to a Skrull, who now displays all kinds of magical powers. All magic is theirs now.


[User]
<image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image>
Provide a full summary of the comic book.

[Assistant]
The Guns of Avalon – part three
London. The newly created Super Skrull embodying all the magic of Britain promises his army that now that they have magic they will soon have Avalon as well. They finish Britain, then join the rest of the army and take the world. Any questions?
He empowers them with the Pendragon Force to give them more strength, then conjures a scrying orb that shows the British forces. Victory conditions here aren’t about killing the monarch. There’s always another. He finds the remains of the human military. They will meet them on Westminster Bridge.
Alongside the military are the Black Knight and his new ally, new superbeing Dr. Faiza Hussein. The commander is on the lookout as he explains that if the Skrulls take Parliament, even now that Prime Minister Gordon Brown has left, they can go on TV and it’ll look like they’ve won. So they are going to show the world that they have to get through two para and three commander Royal Marines and one Royal Anglian and even an Avenger to do it. They are going to show them commitment. They are going to make them pay for the bridge. They are going to see if the @#$%&#%’s can swim.
The Back Knight urges Faiza to leave. Do superheroes run? she replies stubbornly and answers her own question. No, they don’t. Okay, he agrees but when he says so they need her to run. Because it’s going to get grim at the end. Because he’s not going to be at his most charming… and because the world will need doctors. They say magic has gone, but the Ebony Blade is still… still its tiresome self. And hey, he guesses Skrull blood doesn’t count for the curse! He hasn’t turned to stone! Isn’t he lucky?
He didn’t know before? Faiza asks astonished. She tells him to hang on and not give her, like, chivalrous orders (although that was kind of great) and not go all berserkery because… she doesn’t know how she knows but she does. There’s still hope.
In Avalon, neck-deep in Skrulls, Pete Wisdom shouts at Spitfire that they need evacuation. Before he has finished the sentence, the superspeedster has carried him a couple of miles away from the cave. What are they going to do? she asks him. She knows he is considering something terrible. She can smell it.
They have the magic, boy. Hurry! the voice urges Pete. Leaning back, Pete explains that the voice told him he’d learned a lesson of magic. He thinks it’s that magic needs sacrifice. That’s why he couldn’t draw Excalibur. It wanted him to know there’s no other way. He thinks he knows what it wants. But… it’s too much!
Too much? Jaqueline asks incredulously, then informs him she’s going back to save John. Or take as many of them with her as she can. She says – if he has a last card, play it now! With that thought she leaves Pete alone.
Back inside the cave, John the Skrull has his back to Excalibur, surrounded by all the Skrulls. They say they’ve taken magic? he asks. Well, all right. He could do the Spartacus thing. Change into one of them, get lost among them. Live for five more minutes. But they know what? He’s not going to die looking like them. He doesn’t want to be one of the fascists who made his people into morons! Who took something beautiful like Excalibur here and made it into just a but of metal!
He reaches for the sword, but finds he still cannot draw it. Even without magic, Spitfire, who has just come back, realizes hope is still alive.
In London, the Skrull army led by the magic Skrull have almost reached Westminster Bridge while in Avalon Oberon, Tink and their army still battle fiercely. They stole their magic, Tink shouts, but they’ll take only scorched Earth.
From afar, Pete sees the battle, thinking of Tink. The voice orders him to leave and go where he must. It continues that it has escaped its bonds. There are no guardians to limit his passage now. Pete knows who has the last of British magic. He knows his name. He knows what he must do.
Having reached the doorway Oberon warned him against, Pete points out that he knows what the voice wants him to do. He wants him to let him out. And all that’s evil with him. Why is it always him? Pete asks desperately. When they need someone who’ll do his duty? And never mind that it’s a terrible thing. But okay damn it, who else is there?
He lights up hotknives from his fingertips and tosses them at the doorway. Only you, Pete Wisdom, only you. the voice replies. This is what you are for.
All hell breaks loose literally as freed demonic being spurt from the opened doorway. And after them comes Merlin. Not in the shape he’s worn when last Wisdom’s previous team Excalibur met him, but that of the skull-capped pointy-eared, dark-robed wizard. He introduces himself as Merlin. After all that, he wouldn’t be too pleased if he weren’t, Wisdom replies sharply.
Merlin admonishes him not to mock him. He was Merlin the Mad. When his darkest self, held inside, gained control. Merlin the Murderer. Of his own daughter. That sacrifice will serve for much now.
In his hands, he holds a bloody black shard, explaining that a shard of the Fury pierced his side. While he was imprisoned he plucked it out. Drew out his own evil.
So being in there protected him from the magic-stealing bit, Wisdom asks, getting back to business. He saw the invasion, guessed its plans, Merlin replies. He let his champion die to have him spared. And now Wisdom must sleep, he decides as he touches Wisdom’s forehead. What follows is a dream and the reality that stands under all.
He is on his way from reality, he states, referring to Brian Braddock, whose spiritform lies peacefully on a sailing ship. Where characters and continuity cease. And there is less and there is more. But this he does not allow.
Merlin grabs the Fury-shard harder, his blood flowing. It kills superheroes, he recalls the nature of the Fury. It is the nature of magic to make reversal of such words, he announces and shatters the shard. Its energy crackles around him.
Merlin transports himself to the real Britain. What brings life to heroes is what has made such heroes fall. And at the center point of Britain he’ll bring “the hero” back for all. He smashes his staff into the ground. And with a cry of agony a form begins to rise from the ground below him. The cry is heard all over Britain and Avalon and the Black Knight smiles hopefully, seemingly recognizing the voice.
Everywhere in Britain, all Union Jack flags are suddenly torn away, flying towards the rising figure and wrapping around it. Yes, yes! Merlin cries. The symbols come to him! Now he’ll be one idea! One symbol! No longer uncertain! No longer one of many! But like their flag one thing that contains many! All that has been lost: go and take it back, he orders his hero.
In Avalon, Spitfire is injured, trying to protect John the Skrull. Do they see that? he asks the Skrulls. She was going to give her life for a Skrull’s. He expects them to kill the two of them. Instead they stare uncertainly at a newcomer.
Elsewhere in Avalon, Tink shouts at the invaders to finish it. They’ll get no pleading from her. Suddenly they too see a new arrival. It’s him! Tink shouts and Oberon cries hopefully that it’s hope for magic. He has the sword!
At Westminster, the Black Knight orders Faiza to look out while the magical Skrull kills soldiers left and right. Faiza finds she can use her new powers to manipulate the other Skrulls, but not the magic Skrull leading them.
The magic Skrull fires a blast, barely deflected by Dane’s shield. Calling them little creatures full of doubt he tells them to surrender honorably. There is a place for them in the Skrull Empire.
Dane orders Faiza to run. With the battle cry Camelot, he attacks the magic Skrull. Horrified, she hears his cries of agony. It’s only her now.
The magical Skrull wonders why magic chose to be kept here. With such a small people. It grabs Faiza, telling her she venerates the small. They look no further than their shore. They make epics of domestic trivia. They mourn their empire. They whine and complain. They do nothing. It drops her, remarking that she is the last defender of the bridge, of the prize beyond. If she surrenders and kneels it will spare her.
No, Faiza decides. She thinks that’s bravery? it asks angrily. Tiny things! Witihn the Skrull empire they will know grandeur. They will know pride and determination and…
He thinks it will find they know already, a new voice remarks, and Faiza begins to pray when she sees him. A flash of energy hits the magical Skrull.
We just don’t like to make a fuss, Captain Britain, holding Excalibur in his hand, explains.


[User]
<image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image>
Provide a full summary of the comic book.

[Assistant]
The Guns of Avalon – conclusion
Holding Excalibur, the resurrected Captain Britain battles the enraged magical Skrull. You dare?! he shouts enraged. Yes, he rather does, Brian replies wryly. It seems that, in the Skrull’s case, four armed isn’t forewarned.
Being cared for by Dr. Faiza Hussain, the Black Knight laughs at Cap’s feeble pun. Faiza diagnoses internal injuries, lots of broken bones and orders him not to speak.
Dane, feeling his end arrive, charges her to finish his worldly deeds. His last steward… he never found how to save him. The blade… someone will come… and there’s a woman… Faiza orders him to shut up. She’s got this power to help people. He isn’t going anywhere.
The other Skrulls cheer the magical Skrull on to kill the human in single combat and show this world who the masters are now. The new lords of Earth and Avalon!
On Avalon:
“Oh, bloody typical,” Pete Wisdom moans. Things for him are not going so great as he wakes up, chained by Skrulls, next to fellow prisoners: John the Skrull, Tink and Spitfire. He (referring to Merlin) left him lying there to be captured. That dream… he wonders.
Spitfire informs him that Captain Britain is alive and has got the sword. The dream was real? Mission partly accomplished, he decides. He doesn’t feel so bad about the bit with the gate now. Erm, don’t ask...
However, a firing squad is such a dull way to die, Spitfire sighs. And in her own case possibly rather drawn out and complicated, she adds. How did they get here? he asks. Spitfire relates how Brian appeared in the cave. The Skrull energy blasts just bounced off him.
Flashback:
And then he draws the sword.
Caledwlch: “Linebreaker”
Caliburnus: “Steelcutter”
Excalibur: “Freed from the stone,” “Fire from the grail.”
The names of the Sword of the King. The history of the land.
That history continues!
Hope is here!
The sword is drawn!
Immediately, he uses the weapon to deal with the Skrulls present. He tries to ask how Spitfire and John are, but Jaqueline interrupts him, asking if he knows what they’ve done to the magic. Yes, he can get back to Earth on his own, but… She orders him not to worry about them and go. John agrees. Not that anyone asked.
Captain Britain flies off, warning them that Avalon’s crawling with Skrulls. While he’s away, see what they can do about that, eh?
Spitfire helps the injured John walk. So there’s still some British magic out there. He owes her a lot, he tells her. He’s experiencing an odd sensation. He thinks it might be patriotism. Careful, she warns him. Too much of that can damage one’s health. They have to find Pete. No, they don’t, comes a Skrull voice from the entry of the cave. They brought him here.
Present:
The Skrull notes that they are not direct associates of Richards. They’ll need leaders on Earth and Avalon. Swear allegiance to the new Skull empire. Share magic again. Or stay proud and die!
Terms and conditions apply, John mocks. Here, general eccentric, is there a place for silliness in their fascist dreamworld, Sir? Got anything for him? No, the Skrull replies and shoots him in the face. Helplessly, the others witness the execution of their friend..
In London, Faiza is still working on the Black Knight’s organs, trying to knit his bones together on a subatomic level. Suddenly, she’s in for the surprise of her life. What is that? Dane smiles weakly. Not what you want to hear from your doctor. That’ll be the old wound. The grievous stroke. Predates anything that Skrull did. Surely he’s not he first man she met with a heart of stone? …not really so funny… he mutters, getting weaker.
The magic Skrull hits Brian, shouting the whole world is watching. Cap suffers blow after blow, while the Skrull boasts that even a new Captain Britain, even with the last of British magic, even with Excalibur… against their holy destiny he can only die! He presses Brian to the ground.
On Avalon, the Skrull that shot John announces that the new Skrull Empire will begin with Earth. Britain will be a central province of their new throne world. Avalon their playground, and who knows in time? Those other universes beckon….
What in--? Pete exclaims, seeing a pair of glowing eyes peering out of the trees behind the Skrulls. Pete keeps the Skrulls’ attention on him, telling them to sell him Britain as their property. They want all the magic for themselves. What happens to the magical beings: the faeries and demons? Do they get the same as John the Skrull? The glowing creature comes closer as the Skrull replies that magic is just another force to be contained, controlled. Put to the use of their god. The only magical beings they will suffer to live on their lands are those that will serve them.
In London, Cap is in his hands and knees, moaning. Faiza shouts at him that she can’t help the Black Knight. She heals him, but the magic pulls him apart again. If it’s that Skrull doing it, then he has to stop him right now, or the Black Knight is going to die!
Just… catching his breath, Brian replies as he gets up. The last of Britain, the Skrull mocks. One tired man wearing a flag. He fires a blast at him. Go on: one last heroic gesture.
Brian replies he has no idea what that flag means. It isn’t popular. It is not a gesture. No more speeches.
Sword dawn, he lunges at him reflecting his blast with Excalibur. “Enough of…” the Skrull begins getting ready to do more magic Agreed, Cap replies and severs the chains holding his magical amulet..
On Avalon Tink realizes that the magic is back. What? the Skrull asks. Oh right! Pete shouts. So the big boys of magic have their powers back. Makes the Skrulls’ ownership a bit harder, doesn’t it? Does the Skrull want to talk some more?.
The Skrull snarls that applied science in the cause of their destiny will always triumph over this local unorganised force he calls magic! The next moment, he is squished by the giant foot of the equally giant demon Satannish..
The Skrulls’ weapons prove ineffective against the demon. He orders them to pay attention.
Demons beset the Skrulls while he talks. Wisdom freed him and his kin. Now the British lands will be theirs!!! The Skrulls presume to take what is his! Die! he tells them. Die in your snivelling, tiny hordes! Tink looks at Pete in horror. He had to, he simply states.
In London, Faiza has finally managed to heal the Black Knight for good. He’s impressed, he jokes. She even mended the T-shirt. He’s with the N.H.S. now, she replies with a smile.
One Skrull orders the others to stay in formation. They have heavy weapons. They can still destroy him!
Captain Britain stands next to the corpse of the magical Skrull, Excalibur in hand. Oh, he’s sorry, he tells them with a dark smile, is he making them nervous?
Avalon:
Spitfire curses they need to get free. Damn that one for being dead, she refers to the Skrull who killed John and was squashed by Satannish. She wanted him for herself. Pete tells her not to say things like that. Looking at John, he adds, he was his.
Suddenly, the Lady of the Lake and the Green Knight reappear. Tink tells the others John’s sacrifice wasn’t in vain. Their people are returning. The Grail will be back at the heart of Avalon. She thinks she just about forgives Peter and asks him if he fancies dinner later.
Satannish frees them and addresses Wisdom, raising him up in his giant hand. Pete cautiously manifests some hotknives just in case. Satannish tells him he freed the powers of evil to pillage and conquer Britain. They’ll see about that, Pete replies threateningly. Undeterred, Satannish continues that he has helped them, so by the laws of magic they must help him!!! They have power across all Britain and Avalon to grant him one boon!!
One? Pete asks. Come on, if it was even two, he could… No, he realizes dejected. It’s never gonna be two, is it? Not for him. He whispers apologizes for those he is about to let down again… John, Maureen, Kitty, his mother… and then decides: No more Skrulls.
And everywhere in Avalon and Britain the Skrulls burn and die.
Pete and Spitfire return from Avalon with John’s corpse. Captain Britain is contacted by Alistair Stuart that no Skrull is left in Britain and any who try to enter get the same.
Cap sees John’s corpse and is saddened. How? he asks. Mocking them, Pete replies curtly. Good, Brian replies.
Brian shakes Dane’s hand. Close run thing, he tells him. Well done. Dane introduces Faiza, who is standing back as one of them. What? Faiza babbles No, she means… yeah! If that’s okay with everyone?
Putting down John’s body, Pete addresses them, telling them he let supernatural evil out to prey on Britain. He’s gonna have to live with that. Every British hero is a member of MI-13. That’s gonna last a while now. But he can’t order other people to clean up his mess. What would honour John? He means, now that he killed all his people? John joined up with Pete’s lot because there was a threat to his adopted country that only he could see. He was never really a soldier. Merlin told him to bring hero back, not just a hero….
This is where they start, Captain Britain decides, takes Excalibur and rams it into the stony rubble. There should be a team to hold off the dark magic, and the rest. They should be that team. But here’s what it has to be. A team not of intelligence officers, but of super heroes. Together, because they want to be. Who are friends. Who support each other. Who  do not kill..
But who’ll be supported by the intelligence services and fit into their command structure, Pete adds. And start to make up for his mistakes. He takes Brian’s hand. He is on.
Brian explains that Excalibur belongs to someone who never used it to take a life. It’ll find its new owner. Let’s go and find someone to do the right thing for the dead, shall they?
The heroes walk ahead, Faiza remains behind a bit, torn. Does she come too? Did “one of us” mean … she means… is she? She tells herself this is her chance to be a superhero, go on!
Merlin appears next to her. Invisibly, he suggests she should take them the sword. Believing the idea to be her own, she grabs Excalibur, shouting they might need it. When she has drawn it out of the stone and holds it in her hand, she realizes what she has just done. Surrounded by the surprised and delighted heroes, she suggests she could always… put it back?


[User]
<image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image>
Provide a full summary of the comic book.

[Assistant]
Hell Comes to Birmingham – prologue
Mi-13 Headquarters, Whitehall:
Captain Britain is testing his powers and fighting skills against SAS soldiers in armored suits. Deflecting a blast, he remarks that, if he didn’t’ know better, he’d think they were trying to kill him. They are, sir, one of them replies respectfully. Otherwise it wouldn’t be—
Cap hits him back. Point taken, Cap agrees.
Pete Wisdom and Alistaire Stuart enter the room. Death has done wonders for Brian, Pete jokes. Going through the test results, Stuart adds that Brian is at least as powerful as before, but there is something worrying…
Pete interrupts him, asking Brian if he remembers what death was like. One minute boom… Brian recalls. The next… he’s in Lancashire. Probably for the best. Did Pete accept that medal? Not his sort of thing, the other man admits embarrassed. Not while the rest of the world has that Skrull problem… And… well, John.
He changes the subject, remarking that with their two prospective recruits they’ll have their core team sorted though. They are joined by MI13’s scientist O, who hands Stuart the results of the scans taken during Captain Britain’s test. It’s as Alistaire thought. Pete tries to interrupt this is only a first guess. Undeterred, Stuart explains that Cap’s strength and vulnerability vary from moment to moment, in tandem with his emotion and confidence. So there’s no limit to what he could do. He should have brought these to him first, Pete hisses. But he can go from bulletproof to tissue paper at a moment’s notice, Alistaire explains.
Unphased, Brian announces that he is Captain Britain. Pete will just have to make sure he doesn’t get too conceited. So who’s this new recruit?
Outside, a plane lands on runway 2, having completed its extraction mission from still Skrull-infected Manhattan. A muscular black man dressed in black leather leaves the plane. Warily, he looks around. Blade the Vampire-hunter has arrived.
Sons of the Serpent recruitment meeting. Somewhere on Dulwich:
Spitfire and Union Jack are taking care of the villains without working up much of a sweat. He takes her to the nicest places, Spitfire jokes. Union Jack observes that she is fast today and hesitatingly asks if she is ok. She knows she shouldn’t have told him, she laughs. Here they are: Daylight! No blood lust! No fangs! She points to her mouth. Best of both worlds.
So why keep it a secret from her mates? Joe presses. A lady does not reveal her intimate details, she retorts and admits that she feels a little ashamed. Joe suggests that maybe they both made a mistake. Maybe they should be together. He could look after her.
Jokingly, Jaqueline calls him a charmer and suggests he find her some proper dancing. And they’ll see. After she’s popped up north to see an old friend.
Chelmsford, Essex where Faiza Hussain and Dane Whitman are about to visit her parents. Faiza babbles about the kind of cloud Pete has to get her transferred to the intelligence services. She’s loving the training. Her doing kung-fu? She’s like the new Welsh Dragon! Except not Welsh, obviously. And everyone’s made her feel really welcome except… her parents aren’t really on board yet. She confides that they were really scared by the battle of Westminster Bridge and proud in the end, but they are not being told everything? ‘Cause the vetting process is hard on…  Muslim families. And they freaked out about her powers. So she thought bringing home a childhood hero…
He’s surprised she chose him, Dane admits. Surprised, flattered … but mostly scared. He hopes he can live up to…
“Faiza!” a middle-aged woman with a headscarf cries and waves at them. She tells her daughter to get inside before someone sees them. Faiza hugs her mother and tells her not to worry. They’ve been given a number that will get a superhero here instantly. Oh, that makes her feel so secure, Mrs. Hussain replies sarcastically before asking her daughter how dare she sign up for some dangerous government job and not a word to them?
Mrs. Hussain… please excuse, Dane starts in jumbled Urdu and bows. My Urdu not modern sort. Bit useless. But wanted to be… meaningless charming. He adds that he is the Black Knight, formerly of the Avengers. Her brilliant and brave daughter helped save Britain from the Skrulls and saved him. He’s here to explain. Mrs. Hussain harrumphs and states that Faiza’s father will want a word.
Blade is welcomed at the MI-13 headquarters. True to form, it’s raining. Instead of returning Pete’s greeting, Blade remarks that rain makes the circuits in his right hand unreliable. He doesn’t care for it. When does he meet the team?
He didn’t even realize Blade was British, Captain Britain remarks, trying to make small-talk. Grew up here, comes the reply. Made here. But why come over now? Brian wonders. Didn’t Blade want to stay in the US and fight Skrulls? Skrulls? Blade asks. Skrulls are just the weather. They’ll pass. Demons and vampires: They’re ours. Always. His calling brought him here.
At a cemetery near Strawberry Fields, in Liverpool. Jaqueline visits the grave of John the Skrull and lays down flowers. She apologizes to him for the funeral being so low-key. It’s hard to hold a Skrull ceremony in their country now. Pete’s taken his death really hard, though he won’t show it. She only wishes…
A shadow falls upon her. Jaq whirls around, ready to fight, but finds she is all alone.
Back at the Hussains, things could be going better. Faiza’s father points an accusing finger at Dane. This is who they send to be diplomatic? he shouts. He knows where the Black Knight got his linguistic skills – in the Crusades! He knows his superheroes, too! So what is this – a deliberate insult? Or just institutional stupidity?
Erm… pass… Dane replies, trying to calm him. They seem to have gotten off on the wrong foot. So if Dr. Hussain and – Dr. Hussain would give him a moment to tell them about… Dr. Hussain and he…
During the battle, he and Faiza became close, he tries to explain and so he’s made a big decision…
They’re getting married! Faiza’s mother bursts out. !Mum! Faiza sighs embarrassed. Of course, not, Dane blurts out. He means not “of course not” because… obviously Faiza is… she’s very… His steward! he finally shouts. That’s what he’s saying. He wants her to become his new steward!
Really? Faiza asks flattered while her mother wryly comments it’s always interesting to see what happens when she says that to a boy. It’s hard to be annoyed at him, her husband observes. That in itself is annoying.
Okay… dignity gone now, Dane sighs. They’ve kind of been hard done by. He’s the loose cannon of the outfit. How about he just tell them everything?
Pete and Cap show Blade around. They are refitting MI-13 as a modern superhero intelligence strikeforce, Pete explains. With a very specific mission. The public want to see Captain Britain flying into battle. Spitfire and the Black Knight and other famous heroes alongside. But they don’t necessarily need or want to know…
…what their heroes will be fighting, Dane tells the Hussains. That’s what they keep secret. That’s why they are working with the intelligence community. They are targeting the monsters that were set free. And any others that see Britain as an easy mark. Monsters, he stresses. Not suspected terrorists, not decadent supervillains or other heroes. Supernatural evil. Isn’t that the best any of them can aspire to?
Faiza’s powers are defensive. Healing. They will keep her safe. Her identity will be kept secret by “D” notice, technology and magic. She won’t even have to bother with a mask.
Is he ashamed of his daughter? Faiza’s father asks enraged. Laughing, his wife tells him to make up his mind. It’s to keep Faiza safe, Dane assures him. Running the team like this, embedded in the official world…
… this very British mix of professional and amateur might be the best, most secure way of running a superhero team, Pete explains. Amateur adventurers, professional resources, intelligence community culture. But, Cap stresses, with great freedom within that responsibility, so nobody gets compromised. It’s about time someone tried this.
Yeah, so when does he get to meet the others? Blade asks unimpressed. They’ve got a staff meeting this night, Pete begins, but then an emergency alarm sounds and they are informed of a priority communication.
But why did they choose Faiza? her mother asks. They didn’t, Dane replies. Faiza reaches into her bag. She already decided she was going to show this to her folks. The media think it vanished from Westminster Bridge. But here’s why she said yes to all this. She shows them Excalibur and explains that it chose her. She asks her father if he wants to hold it. Almost startled, he admits he can feel it… it is of this nation… and thus… his. Theirs. He is not a particularly religious man, but he can feel it, this is blessed. He hands the sword back to his daughter, asking if she realizes what this is … Unconditional acceptance!
Back at MI-13’s HQ, Pete and the others get the shaky message on the screen. Pete recognizes his old friend and teammate Sid Ridley aka Captain Midlands. He’s got proof, the local hero announces. The supernatural thingummies Pete told them to be on the lookout for, like… they’re right here! They’re – he screams and the connection is broken.
Pete’s aide informs him that they do have his precise location. He is in Birmingham. Go? Brian simply asks. Go, Pete replies and presses the alarm button.
Faiza and Dane get the signal. Faiza’s father hands back the sword, admitting he’d have made the same choice for this. He’s glad Mr. Whitman felt able to be honest with them. He asks her to fight the monsters and make them proud. Be careful. She will, Faiza promises. Her mum hugs her, admitting she will be worried, but Faiza made them so proud. And about Mr. Whitman, she adds in a conspirative whisper… Faiza could do worse. Mum! she exclaims.
Dane contacts Wisdom, telling him no need for VTOL pick-up. He’s brought transport of his own.
Pete tells Captain Britain to fly ahead. Mission: Whoever they are, whatever they are, go right through them… rescue Sid. Wilco, Brian replies. You can do it, Pete adds. He knows, Brian replies and flies off.
He was hoping to get him signed on to the pension plan and stuff, Pete tells Blade but he thinks they are going to have to call this on the job training.
They and more agents run towards the transport vessel while the Knight and Faiza use Dane’s flying hose. Holding onto Dane, Faiza asks what being his steward means. Just something he came up with to get himself out of a corner, Dane admits. If she doesn’t want to…
No, she assures him. It’s a great honor. He can tell her about it on the way. And maybe more about that heart of stone thing…
In the meantime, Spitfire races upward and joins the others  in the carrier five minutes away from the target while the Knight and Faiza are also about to catch up. Pete introduces Jaqueline to Blade. “Lady Jaqueline,” Blade repeats. That’s not what she is to him. And what is she to him? she asks, flirting. He stabs her through the heart with a stake. Another dead vampire!


[User]
<image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image>
Provide a full summary of the comic book.

[Assistant]
Hell Comes to Birmingham – part one
Captain Britain has flown ahead the team to Birmingham. He has reached the building complex Captain Midlands disappeared in. It is lit aglow by eldritch red energy.
He lands and tells everyone to calm down. Now… what the hell is that? A police officer replies they only just got here. It’s not burning exactly. Captain? another one asks. He calls him that, right? What do they…? Cap orders him to tell his station the codeword is maple archer. Set up a perimeter and let his lot through when they land. And yeah, if they are being formal. Now, he is there to find a friend.
He mustn’t interfere a voice shouts. An elderly woman with strangely glowing eyes leading a crowd heading out of the building points at him. They are going to have their hearts’ desires! Hearts desires, eh? Brian replies with a smile. Sounds good. He’s in! Why don’t they take him to where it’s all happening?
Aaaaah! Spitfire screams aboard the MI-13 carrier and reaches for the stake Blade buried in her chest a moment ago. While soldiers try to hold Blade back from finishing his job, Faiza Hussain outside the plane uses her newfound power to try and heal Jaqueline, made more complicated by the fact that she’s magic. Why did nobody say? she protests. Nevertheless, she accomplishes the job and Peter Wisdom pulls the stake from Spitfire’s chest. Exhausted, Faiza drops from the Black Knight’s flying horse and he barely catches her by the arm. Could they please land now? she asks nervously.
Inside the carrier, Pete lays down Jaqueline while Blade protest wildly that they are harbouring a super-powered vampire! The most dangerous thing on Earth! He headbutts his captors. If they are with her… they aren’t with him! He jumps outside to Birmingham below them. New orders, Pete tells the troops, get Blade!
Alistaire Stuart scans Jaqueline and anxiously informs them that Blade was right. That’s what Spitfire is. Did Pete know?
Pete takes Jaqueline’s hand. He tells Alistaire to look at her track record. She’s in control of it. Jaqueline smiles gratefully. Now they’re going in, he orders. Find Sid. Check in with Cap. Gain intel on what this is. Capture Blade.
The vampire hunter lands amidst the red glow. Hellfire, he decides. Demons around here. Out of the frying pan…  He violently opens a door of the residential area… into the theme park.
The Black Knight lands his horse, still dragging Faiza. Where’s Brian? Pete asks once they have landed, while Faiza examines Spitfire.
No signal, Alistaire replies and again begins that he doesn’t like having… Pete curtly tells him to shut it. He just works out what the fire is, while Pete shuts down the matter. No, Jaqueline announces. The fire can’t hurt her. She just knows. Blade, or no Blade, there are people in there. She’s sorry… and she races inside before Pete can stop her.
Also inside, Cap curiously reaches out at the flame-like effect. The elderly lady observes he doesn’t seem worried. He’s not, Brian replies. He’s invulnerable. He was expecting a battle. But he’s looking for a friend. Has she seen Sid Ridley, Captain Midlands?
Hah, she scoffs. He won’t join in. He could spoil everything. He’d put an end to this. The dream corridor.
Really, she should be an estate agent, Brian quips. He hears some noise coming from behind a door in the corridor and opens it. Inside, he sees a middle-aged, overweight man on a throne, being worshipped and served by beautiful girls. Dream corridor, Brian repeats. Right. He opens more doors to see dreams come true.
A man helping a beautiful woman out of an expensive car. Wealth.
A Birmingham football player shooting the decisive goal against the German team. Success.
The image of a blissfully content family. Happiness.
Okay, Brian states, who’s doing this? How does it work? They‘ve been granted their hearts’ desires, the woman explains, as he might be… when she takes him to Doctor Plokta.
Doctor? He reaches to the wall for support, apologizing for suddenly being… what’s happening to him?
Outside, Alistaire informs Pete of his scanning results. The flame is an energy field, using latent human psychic power… their comms won’t penetrate it. He’ll try to find out more.
Suddenly, the flames grow exponentially. Sit-report of the evacuation, Pete asks Captain Colton, who explains that his men a retrying to evacuate the nearby building, but it’s an uphill struggle. They are barricading themselves in. They don’t want to go.
Pete almost pulls out his hair. Sid, Brian now Jaq! He should have paid attention at that people management course! Are they due another outburst? Power fluctuation indicates ten minutes, Alistaire explains, then a bigger one, then a bigger one…
Damn it, Pete swears. No time for intel, he tells Dane and Faiza who both draw their swords. They are going in! Thought he’d never ask, Dane replies cheerfully as he kicks in a window. Keep up with him, if they can, he tells the others.
Spitfire opens a door to find an enchanted mother with her two kids, begging her to come with her. She came to rescue them. Keep telling yourself that, Blade suddenly tells her. She was attracted by the hellfire, he accuses her as he draws his blades.
She’s not his enemy, Jaq tries to tell him. She can control it! She has been for years! That’s what they all say, comes the reply. He heard she drank Skrull blood. Maybe she was fine till then. But now? She can feel it, right? What was always coming for her… the bloodlust?
Well, it is awfully tiresome, Spitfire replies, while looking at her left hand which has shrivelled in the mystical fire. But since he mentioned it, she believes the appropriate phrase is… Rarrggh! With that inarticulate scream of rage she attacks him.
He hits her face with the hilt of his blade. Quickly, she moves away at superspeed, slashes him in the back and breaks apart his weapon.
Despite her superspeed, he manages to kick her in the stomach. He grabs her by her shrivelled hand and begins to scream in pain. Sarcastically, Spitfire remarks he dances divinely. If only he had better manners.
Girl, he replies mockingly, that accent is like something out of a sixties horror movie. Excuse my manners, Lady Jaqueline, he continues. Let me make you a polite proposal. He whispers into her ear. If she is still in control, step back and let him stake her. Again Jaq snarls and tosses him into the wall.
Elsewhere, Faiza uses her new powers to hold the crowd still, telling her teammates to hurry. Is she ever going to get to zap something that isn’t magic? she complains. Pushing past the people, Dane announces he is tempted to cut through. Because track suits as day wear…
Seriously? Pete asks. He wants to attack people? Yeah, Dane admits. The Blade feels… at home here. Then don’t talk about it, Faiza orders him. Dane explains that saying he might do it… that’s a tree in the wind. Going “never, I say, never!”… that’s stone. That might break.
You two, Pete sighs. He points to a desperate group of residents, trying to defend the door to the basement. Can they spot where they are not meant to go? Pete asks his teammates.
Elsewhere, the elderly woman orders Cap on his knees. He is coming! No thanks, Brian replies to the order.
Surrounded by the hulkish bodies of the Mindless Ones, a shapeless cosmic being wearing a white face like a mask appears. He is Plokta, he announces. The Mindful One, Lord of mere wishes. Now freed from hell. He is the maker of the Mindless Ones. I bring you fear and joy.
In the basement Pete and the others find the chained up Captain Midlands. Is that really Wisdom? Sidney asks. Or is he just who Sid wants him to be, ’cos if he is, he can stuff it up his jacksie (‘scuse his French, he adds to Faza.)
Faiza and Dane cut through the chains with their swords. Pete rattles down that Sid used to take the bus in to MI13. He’s the only supersoldier Pete knows who complains about his piles. He collects decorative spoons. He always thought Pete was a complete tosser. And the feeling is mutual. It’s Pete all right, Sid decides and begins to explain what’s going on here.
Captain Midland’s story:
He was working with the local neighbourhood watch. They’d pinned down the location of a crack house in this estate. This here tower block. Every time the coppers came near, they moved, so Captain Midlands took direct action.
He crashed into the flat to find the junkies in a trance, their energy being sucked away. They have enough energy, Plokta suddenly announced. His Mindless Ones come forth through his body and he orders them to take the building. Sid stands no chance and runs outside, contacting Pete Wisdom and MI13.
That was when he was captured by the possessed citizens who he didn’t want to fight.
Present:
They wanted him to join in. This Plokta: He can give you anything you want but it’ll cost you your soul. Can’t they feel it? The energy that’s being leached from them, just being here?
There’s “summat” he wants. That he thinks about every day. Don’t ask him what. If he thinks about it now, he can felt this thing, teasing him with it, asking Sid to give himself up in exchange. Wanting his… he doesn’t know … magical power.
Magical power, Pete repeats and realizes sending Brian in here first… maybe not one of his brightest ideas.
Having disarmed Blade, Spitfire asks if he has any more bright ideas. She grabs for his throat and moves close to his neck, telling him today’s lesson is: Don’t wake the sleeping tiger!
Before Captain Britain can strike, Plokta he tells him to wait. They stand in front of a door. He can feel magic in Brian, toy of Merlin. No mere mortal he. He doubts Captain Britain will be tempted by anything Plokta might offer. So doesn’t he want to see? What he was going to seduce him with? No, Brian replies hesitatingly. He can live without… Plotka opens the door. Can he?
Inside seems to be another dimension and, curled up sleeping, surrounded by monsters, is Brian’s lost wife, Meggan.


[User]
<image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image>
Provide a full summary of the comic book.

[Assistant]
Hell Comes to Birmingham – part two
Captain Britain stares into the room, his lost wife Meggan slumbering in some strange dimension. What is he looking at? he asks of the demonic Plokta. Is this a portal to wherever that is?
With a smirk, Plokta replies he’d only go after her. This is a magical image of an actual location. But if he’s tempted by Plokta’s offer… his heart desire in return for serving him…
So magic’s moving between here and there, Cap muses aloud. Okay. Can’t tell if that’s an illusion or not. Not like the other rooms in the dream corridor. If there’s a chance… His power depends on confidence now, he announces. There’s nothing he’s afraid of. He’s not going to ask Plokta for Meggan. He’s going to get her! and he jumps in, destroying the demonic tentacles wrapped around the sleeping Meggan.
Plokta grins triumphantly as he tells his human servant Mrs. Dunley to lock the door. Good Lord, he snorts, as if he didn’t know all about him. He’s planned for this moment! Mrs. Dunley remarks they are so used to battling “super-villains,” people who stand for something. They’re quite surprised when someone lies to them. They’re just not ready for a duke of hell.
Plokta thanks her for the compliment. Now they have a major source of magical power trapped in the dream corridor. He orders her and the other human thralls to prepare it for its next victim. Turn up the Hellfire and say hello to the Mindless Ones.
And outside the building Alistaire Stuart is barely able to shout a warning at Captain Colton as the Hellfire grows again, swallowing the nearby buildings. It’s expanding exponentially Alistaire announces, checking his readings. If it keeps growing at that speed, it’ll cover Britain in three days and in a week… the world!
Inside the building, Blade screams in anticipation of the agony to come as the vampiric Spitfire crouches above him, ready to tear into his throat. Instead, she loosens her hold and with dignity announces she is a Falsworth. She’s in charge of who she is.
Blade curses her and puts his blade to her throat. Unfazed, Jaqueline coolly informs him she feels the evil here, but she’s in control of her urges. The question is: is he?
Blade’s rage gives way to an appreciative smile. Girl, later for that, he replies as the Mindless Ones storm the room.
In the basement, Captain Midlands warns Pete Wisdom, Faiza Hussain and the Black Knight they’ve got to stay focused. Don’t let yer mid wander off. It’s hard not to do it, in here. Not to think about… well, your heart’s desire. But that’s when he appears, just in you head.
He recalls Plokta appearing, summoned by the sheer vastness of their need. Any door can lead to one of his rooms. To get what you most desire, all they need do is enter. He knew what he’d see inside, Sidney, recalls, bowing his head as if ashamed. Like he said, he turned Plokta down. But it was so hard.
Faiza announces that she thinks Excalibur kind of knows where the demon thing is. It is pulling her upwards up the stairs. Up they go, Pete announces. And nobody, you know, think of anything they really like.
Elsewhere, Captain Britain shakes Meggan until she wakes up. With a cry of joy she recognizes him.
Back inside the building, Blade and Spitfire battle Mindless Ones. Where do these things come from? Blade complains, sword drawn. Through every door, Spitfire replies. She’ll have to remember this lot if she needs help moving house. She evades the optic blast of one Mindless One who then hits one his kind.
Blade slices one in half with his sword. They can die! he shouts. He and his adamantium odachi, they are in control of this situation! He had to say this out loud, he adds almost defensively. He’s just too loquacious, Jaqueline observes. That too, he admits.
As they’ve cut themselves a berth, Blade admits there’s something trying to get inside their heads. Spitfire agrees. It keeps dragging her thoughts to… to…
Can she smell her friends? Blade interrupts her. Yes, they’re heading upwards. Well then, Blade forces up the doors of the elevator behind him and then opens the hatch door in the ceiling. He swings upwards and stretches out his hand to her. Lady J, he tells her, he likes the way she fights. Promise, he won’t kill her. Until they’re out of it. Tremendously courteous of him, she replies. How could a girl refuse? And she takes his hand.
Elsewhere, holding hands, Meggan and Brian fly downwards to Earth. Though he doesn’t understand. How can that be Earth down there? She was in some other dimension. She doesn’t know, Meggan replies. She just woke. She just woke, she replies joyfully as she flies upwards, and she’s safe and he’s back. It’s perfect! She flies back to him. They kiss passionately, not heeding that they catch fire as they fall through the atmosphere.
Back inside the building, Pete’s group makes its way up the stairs with the Black Knight in the lead. Why’s this demon thing doing this? Faiza asks fearfully. Plokta must be doing something with the magical power he is harvesting from the people who go into his “dream corridor,” Dane suggests. He asks her to keep chatting to him, by the way. Between the sword playing up and trying not to think of his heart’s desire… now would not be the time for him to rub his stomach and chew gum.
What about her? No visions of some great longing. No, absolutely not, Faiza assures him almost too fast. Nothing at all. Worth mentioning, that is. She adds that she think that it would be totally hard to get to them anyway. Because they are prepared.
She misses Wisdom, lost in thought as behind a door visible only to him Plokta is showing him something. Isn’t it tempting? he asks as Pete looks at what seem to be the moon or another world, smiling.
At a table sit Pete, Maureen Raven and Kitty Pryde. A certain giant bullet is stuck in the planet’s surface. And that, Maureen, is why sending Brian recklessly into combat wasn’t really a repressed reaction to the death of John the Skrull, Pete is explaining to his dead girlfriend Maureen Raven.
That was an impressive explanation, she replies and assures him she completely believes him. Kitty Pryde (sitting in front of the mounted head of Lockheed the dragon) tells him it was great to meet his mom and sister tonight. And to hear that everyone he has ever had in his care is safe, and can never be harmed. That rocks.
And here, look, I’m not really dead, John the Skrull pipes up, serving the champagne.
Hey, wake up, comes the Black Knight’s voice as he shakes Wisdom and breaks the reverie. That’s how they get to you. He was just thinking about an old friend, Pete replies. Ow.
The swords, Dane suddenly shouts. Can she feel it?  Yeah, Faiza admits, raising Excalibur, there’s something being made. Something being made out of magic. As if on cue, Mindless Ones surround them.
The hellfire has now covered more buildings, Alistaire Stuart and Captain Colton realize. Stuart, using binoculars, sees that Mindless Ones are in the building. He orders the captain to call in the heavy ordnance. Bring up everything they got and start talking to the RAFD. If those things are loose on Earth, their previous problems pale in comparison!
Braddock Manor, and at the bottom of the drive stands the Braddock Arms. Brian and Meggan sit at a table within the Pub. A pub with his name on, Meggan remarks teasingly. Bit of a male fantasy, Brian admits. But he never gets time to visits. He holds her hands. That’s what he’s going to do, now he’s got her back. Make time for all the things they never did. They’ve been given a second chance.
She’s loved these past few weeks, Meggan admits, just having the chance to breathe again. And it was great of Pete to give him compassionate leave. She notices he looks at her strangely. Why is he looking at her like that?
It’s nothing, he replies. Something just walked over his grave, as they say. It’s like he’s forgotten something he dreamed. He touches ho forehead. Maybe it’s just because this is what he’s wanted for so long. It’s hard to accept it’s all real. But, wait a sec, he tries to recall. He rescued Meggan from where Plokta had her and maybe he doesn’t entirely know his cross-dimensional powers yet, so he somehow unconsciously got them home…
Brian! she cries as there’s a crashing noise. What he’s feeling is nostalgia, comes the voice of a newcomer that hits Brian, the pain of remembering! Of remembering his own brother! Before them stands Brian’s elder brother, Jamie, holding a flaming sword and dressed thankfully in jeans and a Pink Floyd T-shirt (instead of his usual speedo).
Elsewhere, Blade and Spitfire are climbing up the elevator shaft. He kills vampires, Spitfire states. They have a lot in common, she muses. Her family’s been persecuted by the damn things. But she didn’t think there were many left. Yeah, about that… Blade hesitates, he got something in common with Pete Wisdom. A few months ago, he brought all the vampires back. Horrified, Spitfire realizes what that means to her. He could be alive! That’s what she most… most… She faints and falls the long way down the shaft.
Elsewhere in the building, Pete, Faiza, Sid and Dane are fighting Mindless Ones. This is what the magical energy’s used for, Pete shouts. Plokta’s making Mindless Ones.
Horrified, Dane realizes they don’t fall! The Ebony Blade… needs them to fall. He shouts out Faiza’s name as she is attacked by Mindless Ones.
Plokta, in the meantime, has gained access to his mind. The Knight knows what he’s going to offer him, doesn’t he? A chance to give up the Ebony Blade. To not be afraid to fight with all his might. Just step inside one of his rooms and sheath it. Dane sweats as he shouts no weakly. No! He shouts out loud and cuts off the arm of the Mindless One holding Faiza.
At the Braddock Arms, Meggan tries to reach out with her empathic power and calm Jamie. He is calm, she tells him. Don’t try to use her powers on him, “Meggan Puceanu,” he warns her. As if she could! And besides, he’s really not. With that, he buries his blade in Brian, apparently instantly evaporating him.
Back in the building. Dane shouts in pain: No blood! No blood! The Ebony Blade wants blood!
Faiza begs him to stop. He’s better than this. Pete cuts through a Mindless One with hotknives and orders Whitman to stand down. He’s ordering him to!
Dane raises his blade to Faiza. Pete shouts there’s something he has to know. Pete didn’t want to tell him. That’s not the Ebony Blade!


[User]
<image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image><image>
Provide a full summary of the comic book.

[Assistant]
Hell Comes to Birmingham – part three
In the middle of their fight against the Mindless Ones, Pete Wisdom just dropped a bombshell on the increasingly unstable Black Knight – namely that the weapon he is carrying is not the Ebony Blade. The Knight lowers the weapon confused and falls into Faiza’s arms, asking for help. Captain Midlands carries him, pressing onwards while Pete Wisdom barricades the stairs, using his hotknives to keep the Mindless Ones at bay.
Elsewhere, a badly injured and broken Spitfire lies at the bottom of an elevator shaft. Plokta contacts her and opens the dream corridor for her. She sees her desires made manifest: her son Kenneth living a happy, healthy life instead of being a vampire who’s probably undead again now, Plokta continues heartlessly, in vampire torment. Hurting people. He asks her to step inside and save Kenneth from all that.
Spitfire struggles to speak, about to make a rude suggestion. She is interrupted by Blade. Such language, he admonishes her, while actually managing to hurt the surprised Plokta who promises he will be back for Blade’s soul. Unimpressed, Blade tells him he better run.
He kneels down at Jaqueline’s side, showing her his special weapon. A paper sword. Papier-mâché. Made of pages from magickal books. Good against demons, not so good in the rain. How is she doing? She can’t move, Spitfire moans. Probably bought it. How terribly dull. One way of putting it, Blade replies and stretched out his hand. Now stop whining and get up! he orders her. He has such a sense of humour, she replies weakly. She thinks her back is broken and several ribs Yeah, so decide they aren’t, he tells her. It’ll be the worst pain she ever felt. But she can fix this. And her hand. She’s a frigging vampire, so accept the benefits.
Only pain? she asks, well then… She concentrates and screams and heals. In disbelief, she stares at her previously withered hand. Oh God, oh God! she exclaims. Getting back to business, Blade explains he’s sensed two sources of magic. One’s him (referring to Plokta). One stayed upstairs. Now the Mindless Ones have gone, let’s go see the easy way. He presses the elevator button.
Outside the building, the armed forces find that nothing they’ve got hurts the Mindless Ones. Stuart suggests the device he brought. A moment later, a pentagram tesseract is activated, as Stuart explains, an intrusion of magical fields into another dimension. Ailstaire asks Captain Colton to tell his men to stop firing. Let’s see if they can catch themselves a Mindless One…
On the stairway Dane awakes, the others crouched around him. He thanks them and hesitatingly asks, didn’t he… already know that about the Ebony Blade?
Well, he thought, yeah, Pete replies. Which is why it was a bit bloody surprising when Dane started talking about it again. Pete takes up the sword. The real Ebony Blade is in Wakanda. A situation he was planning on doing something about. Whatever this is, it was good enough to fool the magical powers of Camelot. And he thinks it’s been doing its best to convince Dane too. He thinks it’s been trying a little too hard, Dane mutters.
Great, Faiza announces. So now he can just chuck it, can’t he? Go on, drop it down the rubbish chute! Whatever this is, it’s hungry for blood, Dane replies. He can’t let someone else… he’s just about handling it. He what? she exclaims. He was going to kill her! How could he let it go that far?! He apologizes awkwardly.
Pete orders them to get moving. One false move from Dane and Pete will melt the damn sword. Sid tells them to better be quick. He can hear them things moving about downstairs…
Outside, Alistair Stuart and the soldiers activate the pentagram tesseract.
Somewhere inside, Captain Britain screams as he realizes that he didn’t die. What does this mean he asks, addressing Jamie. He’s still seeing him as his brother? “Jamie” asks. Right, whatever they are stuck in is powerful. He reminds Brian that as far as he knows his brother is dead. When Merlin reforged him, he made him very strong. He made his unconscious mind very strong. He takes off Jamie’s face, like a mask, and reveals Brian’s own face underneath. That’s what he is. He’s been trying to shock his conscious self, to get him to wake up and smell the &%$*%!
He tears off the background like paper revealing a strange dimension. This was Brian’s heart’s desire… and very nice it was too. But this is what really is still inside… Plokta’s dream corridor, Brian finishes.
What is this? Meggan asks, fearfully holding on to him. What’s going on? Brian turns away. Plokta tricked him, he announces. He knew him. Adding Meggan to this… He didn’t think! He reacted!
Meggan begins to cry as she assures him she is real. He refuses to look at her. People always see this as his weakness, that he wants a real married life. For some reasons all of them, “heroes” and “villains”… they think that’s strange!
She is whatever people think she is, Meggan pleads. That’s her nature! If he thinks she’s not real…
Please, he begs. Brian! she shout and begins to fade out. No more, he states.
Elsewhere, Plokta notices that the power is fluctuating wildly. It’s like nothing he’s seen before, as if the corridor’s magic was being… interfered with. Merlin’s champion is strong… and strange. If only he could go inside and see.
Mrs. Dursely warns him the others are approaching. He needn’t worry. They haven’t realized. With their power he might be able to subdue Braddock, Plokta muses. Then they’ll have this world as a factory for Mindless Ones, like they’ve had so many others. Quickly now, he orders, let’s get ready for the trap. And they disappear with a lightshow.
Outside, under Stuart’s leadership, the military manages to drag one Mindless One into the tesseract for them to study. Looking around, they see the other Mindless Ones still surround them. Shall they see about that withdrawal now? Stuart suggests to Captain Colton.
Inside the dream corridor, Captain Britain and his unconscious double fly, looking for a way out. Suddenly, they see a window to what seems to be Birmingham. A bit… his unconscious begins…
Too convenient, Brian finishes the sentence. He can go now. His unconscious fades away, while Brian thinks. That’s his heart’s desire now: to escape. So he’s going to keep being offered it. But taking it would just lead to another illusion. Dammit! How does he get out of this?
Outside, the soldiers shoot Mindless Ones while Alistaire is busy working his laptop A Mindless One is an expression of magical energy. A particular vibration of the intersection between the membranes of magical dimensions. Obviously, Colton agrees. But this means, Alistaire decides, he can try something rather risky. Colton knows that since that … unfortunate dinner with Morgan le Fey Alistaire’s been somewhat… mutable in form? Plays merry hell with I.D. card. But it gives one… certain opportunities. He opens the tesseract gate and jumps inside over Colton’s shout of protest.
Elsewhere in the building, Captain Midlands tells the others it’s on this level. Faiza announces that Excalibur is telling her the whole of this corridor it a source of magic. There’s power behind every door except… The blade points at one door. Room 102. Because that’s Plokta’s HQ, Sid explains. It’s not part of the dream corridor. But before the sword was sensing him, Faiza points out. Then he’s somewhere else, Sid decides. They get to smash his magical control wotsits. Faiza doesn’t get it, he exclaims, these people were under  his protection!
Pete calms him; it’s okay, but they do this slowly. If Plokta is setting them up for something.
The elevator door at the end of the corridor opens. Blade addresses them. Wisdom automatically fires hotknives at him. Spitfire orders him not to. Blade is on their side, at least for now. Please stop trying to kill him!
She’ll notice he missed, Pete replies coolly. Give him a reason to do that again! Cuz of what they are up against, Blade replies. He’s met him. He says he’s a duke of Hell. Which means big trouble…
He explains that each duke of Hell is responsible for one of the magical principle of the universe. In this case, the Mindless Ones. They are pure chaos. A political force in the dark dimension. In other dimensions, too. You want to leave a major player impotent, just cleaning house for the rest of his days? You set up a factory to make those things and let it run wild. This isn’t a random first attack. This is an attempt to knock Earth out of the game. Claim it for hell. And nobody else. Make the other dark powers Pete released leave it alone. Finally absorb it into the Inferno.
All powered by human need, Pete realizes, so, of course, it’s working. This is why he wanted Blade onside, he explains and calls him a duplicitous @&$#. Now, when they are done he’s going to have Blade exported back to the United States of #&@%!
Spitfire jumps between them, reminding Pete she is the injured party. And she notes, that Pete’s first thought wasn’t “glad to see you got your hand back.” She orders him to stop it.
Sid interrupts, announcing he heard “summat” from behind the door. It sounded like they’ve got a kid in there. He storms inside. The others follow.
Instead of the expected horror, they find a nice, cozy living room and a woman dressed in old-fashioned clothes. She loos like someone from when she was young, Spitfire muses, or actually she thinks they’ve…
Met, yes in 1942 the woman agrees. She’s so sorry.
Sid! Spitfire shouts. So she’s worked it out, Captain Midlands says as he closes the door. He’s sorry too, so sorry, they wouldn’t believe it. But that won’t stop him. This is his wife, Nancy Ridley. She died in 1966. Originally. He drops his helmet and walks over to Nancy. He was given her back in return for doing this. He took what was offered straight away. He was only following orders. To get them in here if they didn’t walk in themselves. They can’t escape. Not now that door’s closed. Welcome to the dream corridor.
The others are caught, floating in an energy prison. Sid looks at his wife. They’ re just power sources for Plokta now. And they are here forever.