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Demonica Calling
‘At first, everything went very smoothly…’ begins Kuroko:
(Flashback):‘DEMONICA CALLING!’ cries Dr. Douglas Birely – better known as the diabolical Dr. Demonicus, introducing himself, then proclaiming that he is the president-for-life of the Island Republic so recently raised from the floor of the Pacific Ocean. The members of the United Nations watch Demonicus’ speech via a video-link, and Demonicus tells them that he is deeply honored to address the general assembly by satellite to renew his pledge that Demonica’s prodigious mineral wealth will be shared by all the United Nations. Demonicus declares that their acceptance of a member state led by one so disfigured gives hope to all mankind. One of the general assembly replies that it is Demonicus who gives hope to a world sorely in need of the natural resources that he has promised to bestow upon them.
However, not all of the Pacific Overlords are particularly happy with Demonicus’s announcement, as Cybertooth asks his teammates Irezumi and Jawbreaker if they think their President really means his words. Jawbreaker replies that, if he does, there still best be plenty of perks left to go around. Kuroko listens intently, while Kain keeps a watchful eye on them.
It is not given for underlings to understand the mind of a genius like Dr. Birely, who, one day, wanders alone to explore a newly discovered cave in search of a place for quiet contemplation, telling his faithful Kuroko to wait here. However, when Demonicus emerges, hours later, Kuroko notices that he has somehow subtly changed.
Following that day, Demonicus begins to push the hired construction workers unmercifully, and, with the help of the Overlords, Demonica International Airport soon opens for business. However, the backgrounds of some of the first émigrés to the isle are something of a surprise – what follows is even more shocking, as Demonicus angrily accuses the United Nations of criticizing his recruitment of civilians. The honeymoon period is officially over.
Immediately after renouncing his pledge of the startled U.N. officials, who have not yet made that fact public, Demonicus moved to back his new words with actions – over the distant Atlantic Ocean! ‘Now this is more like it!’ Jawbreaker exclaims as he, Kuroko, Cybertooth and Kain embark on their mission. Cybertooth tells Kain to make haste, pointing out that their President will not like a delay. ‘You’re not the pilot here’ Kain replies, addressing Cybertooth by his real name, Yen Hsieh. ‘No, but I believe we both agree that my cybernetic bite gives me a certain…authority, does it not?’ Cybertooth replies, his metal teeth gleaming.
However, there is no time for further discussion or dissension though, as a jet airliner comes into view below – so Kain acts, using the silver studs imbedded deep within his skull enabling him to take control of the other aircraft, within minutes, immobilizing it midair. The Pacific Overlords use this as their cue to board the other plane, and Cybertooth and Jawbreaker begin taking down the men aboard the plane, all dressed in red, while Jawbreaker asks who these “clowns” are.
Kuroko comes into view as she takes down the last of the opposition, telling Cybertooth, who is at a control panel, to wait till she is done. Cybertooth tells Jawbreaker that he thought this was a plane charted by the United Nations as he enters something on the control panel, which opens a stasis machine, where, inside, a man dressed in red and purple replies that the plane is charted by the United Nations, but crewed by Wakandans – the so called “Panther Posse”, the elite commandos of the Black Panther. The newcomer thanks the Overlords for releasing him from the stasis machine, and boasts that the whole world will soon know that the man called Klaw is free once more.
Hours later, the Overlords and Klaw have returned to Demonica, and Demonicus greets Klaw, addressing him by his first name Ulysses – ‘’Or should I say, “Mr. Vice-President”!’. Demonicus then asks Klaw if he has abandoned his plans to conquer his old foe’s African kingdom, to which Klaw replies that he has for the moment, and shaking Demonicus’ hand adds that he accepts the offer made in their recent communications. ‘”Vice-President”?’ Kuroko whispers to herself, annoyed.
Shortly, Kuroko meets with Kain, who was not present when Demonicus announced Klaw would be Vice-President, and informs Kain that Jawbreaker and Cybertooth just stood by and did nothing while this took place. Kuroko remarks that she thinks it has something to do with those devices on their foreheads. Kain replies that Kuroko might be right, as the other Overlords are too ambitious and resentful to let something like that slide, when suddenly, Demonicus calls out to Kain, asking him to join he and Klaw. Kuroko asks if she should come as well, but Demonicus replies that he only wants Kain.
Thankfully for Kuroko, invisibility has its uses, and she follows the trio to a strange cavern beneath the palace, where Dr. Demonicus, Kain and Klaw stand near an altlar where a ritual is taking place. Dr. Demonicus places something against Kain’s glowing forehead, causing the willing servant to cry out in pain as Dr. Demonicus continues to chant in an unknown language. When all is said and done, Demonicus exclaims ‘From now on, you’ll be totally subservient to me!’ ‘Yes…Doctor…’ Kain replies. Demonicus tells Kain that he must behave just as before and informs him that he will soon be joined by the last Pacific Overlord not yet initiated – Kuroko!
This causes Kuroko to gasp, and lose concentration over her power, thus revealing her presence. ‘Doctor – she spies on us!’ Klaw exclaims, to which Demonicus declares that not even the powers he gave Kuroko genetically can save her from this, and releases some sort of flying reptile from a small cage. The creature has massive claws and attacks Kuroko’s face. Kuroko knows that her invisibility power is of no defence against this creature, but that it can be momentarily stunned – and that is all she needs as she smacks the creature hard with her staff, enabling her time to escape the cavern before Demonicus and the others can catch her.
Kuroko escapes into one of the jets and takes flight, though the creature is following her – luckily for Kuroko it slams itself into the metal door as the supersonic jet becomes airborne. Kuroko is safe – until suddenly, she hears the creature eating it’s way into the plane. Kuroko hopes that the creature needs oxygen, so pilots the aircraft straight upwards, and as the jet gains altitude, the gnawing into the jet grows steadily fainter, until, suddenly, the creature releases its hold on the jet and it tumbles back toward Earth. Weakened by loss of blood, Kuroko sets the ships automatic controls for America’s West Coast, to ask the help of the Avengers West Coast.
(Present)‘…the only ones I know with sufficient power to bring Dr. Birely to his senses!’ Kuroko tells her former enemies. ‘Got to confess – I wouldn’t mind knocking some into him!’ USAgent exclaims, as he and his teammates sit around in the kitchen – one part of the Avengers West Compound that isn’t damaged – listening to Kuroko’s story. Scarlet Witch tells Kuroko that she will have to check out her story with the United Nations first, as Clint Barton standing with his wife Bobbi) points out that it could be a trap.
Suddenly, USAgent motions to the shadows where he sees something moving. ‘If you’ve brought other Overlords…’ Clint warns Kuroko, who replies ‘No! I swear!’, as Wanda stands up, the intruder tells her to save her power, ‘It’s just me!’ declares Darkhawk. Spider-Woman grins at the appearance of her new friend, who asks her if he has come at a bad time. ‘This place looks –‘ he begins, about to comment on the state of the Compound, when Clint interrupts, asking him why he is here at all. ‘You’re an East Coast type!’.
Spider-Woman tells Hawkeye – err, Goliath – that it is her doing, explaining that she and Darkhawk have kept in touch since the Armor City business. Julia explains that she booked Chris a flight here and will pay it back out of her salary. Julia remarks that with Wonder Man gone and Iron Man “inactive” she thought they could use Darkhawk’s power. Someone agrees with Julia, remarking that she is right, to which Darkhawk asks ‘Iron Man – inactive? Not hardly!’ and informs everyone that Iron Man is up to his armpits in something called “Battledroids” right now. ‘WHAT?’ someone asks. Chris reveals that he saw it on one of those airport TV’s on his way through.
Moments later, at the Compounds communications center, The Avengers West, Darkhawk and Kuroko watch a live recording taken from the Los Angeles headquarters of Stark International, which is currently under attack by mysterious “droids”. The reporter announces that Stark International is being strongly defended by the armored ex-Avenger, Iron Man. ‘That’s him?’ Hawkeye asks, as they all watch Iron Man, in yet another set of armor battling the droids. ‘How many suits of armor does that guy have?’ USAgent mumbles, while Bobbi comments on the way Iron Man moves.
The reporter announces that it is not known if these events are related to the announcement a short time ago that Tony Stark is still alive. ‘WHAT!?’ gasps Wanda. ‘Or if this new armor is superior to the black-and-white variety Iron Man’s worn lately’ the reporter adds. ‘Stark did it to us again!’ snaps Agent as he begins to storm off, despite Julia calling out to him. Kuroko asks why there is so much concern about this. ‘Dr. Demonicus –‘ she begins until she is struck by a blast of energy, while a voice shouts ‘Wants you!’. Clint calls out to Kuroko, while Wanda assumes that the Pacific Overlords have arrived.
She is proven wrong though when the pink-clad Russian super-being Morning Star tells the Scarlet Witch not to confuse she and Klaw with those fools. Morning Star explains that she and Klaw are here on a lawful mission to take a Demonican citizen back to her homeland. Klaw readies his powerful weapon once more while telling the Avengers West to stand aside, or else there will be a nasty international incident which their heirs will learn about via television.
‘Heck with that!’ Spider-Woman exclaims, ‘Let’s kick ‘em back to where they came from!’ she tells her teammates, while Darkhawk asks if Klaw and Morning Star are “friends” of theirs. USAgent explains that Klaw is an old sparring partner of the Fantastic Four, and that they have encountered Morning Star – or Izvestia Sandinista in her native Russian – before. Darkhawk replies that if the Avengers want them out of here, then he will give them a hand, but is struck by one of Morning Star’s blasts as she tells USAgent to get her name right – ‘It’s Zvezda Dennista!’ she corrects him. ‘And like I said, that’s “Russkie” for MUD!’ shouts Walker as he leaps up at his enemy, smashing her hard with his trusty shield.
‘What is this?’ asks Klaw, tangled in one of Spider-Woman’s psionic webs. ‘Didn’t’ Demonicus brief you?’ Julia asks as she stands nearby, explaining that they are her psi-webs. ‘They are more like cob-webs!’ Klaw replies as he brushes them aside with bursts of his solidified sounds, emitted through the weapon on his hand. Julia is knocked off her feet and decides that she is in trouble now, for although the first blast was mostly absorbed just shredding her psychic webbing – nothing is going to intercept the next one except for her! Suddenly though, Chris comes to his friend’s rescue, ‘Mind if I horn in?’ he asks as he blasts Klaw with his own energies. ‘Not really, no’ Julia replies quietly.
Nearby, Morning Star has quickly recovered from the bashing that USAgent gave her, as she blasts him with her energies, which Walker blocks with his shield, she tells him that he is the one she most wanted to battle – to prove that a Soviet super-being is capable of defeating one symbol of America. Johnny tells Morning Star that if they had gone one-on-one the first time they met, then she would have learned how their own personal Olympics would have turned out in the wilds of Northern Canada. With that, he hurls some rubble up at the feisty Russian, who blasts it with her power, ‘No doubt’ she mumbles in reply.
Klaw’s abilities send Darkhawk careening backwards as he boasts that should show him why he has been called the “Murderous Master of Sound”. ‘The source of the “Master” sobriquet you have just witnessed!’ Klaw explains, before moving on to the “Murderous” part, as he holds his weapon out close to Darkhawk. ‘Get away from him!’ shouts Spider-Woman as this time she comes to her friends’ rescue. ‘Your previous brush with death did not make you wiser’ Klaw points out as Julia stands in front of the fallen Chris. Klaw tells Spider-Woman that she should not seek a being composed of solidified sound with her ineffectual mental wars.
‘You’ve got yourself a deal, Klaw – no webs!’ exclaims Julia as she kicks Klaw hard in the jaw. Klaw gathers himself and admits that Spider-Woman is stronger than he imagined, but before he can do anything else, the nimble Julia wraps herself around Klaw, who shouts ‘What are you doing?’. Julia has her feet wrapped around her foes neck and replies that she has not only got strength, but leverage, and flips Klaw over, sending him crashing to the ground.
‘Stop toying with the Americans, Klaw!’ Morning Star shouts as, in the confusion, she grabs the unconscious Kuroko and takes to the air, leaving the bewildered Avengers West on the ground. ‘”Toying”?’ Klaw asks as he continues to tussle with Spider-Woman. Morning Star informs Klaw that she has what they came for, and flies into their small aircraft. Klaw follows suit, exiting through the large hole in the wall of the Compound that they created and remarks that he knows their mission, but that he would have preferred a chance to smash Spider-Woman.
Morning Star assures Klaw that they have done enough damage to teach the Avengers West a well-needed lesson, and that, if what Demonicus told them is true, then the Avengers West will not dare follow them back to Demonica – even if they had the means! With that, Morning Star and Klaw fly off with the unconscious Kuroko, now their prisoner, back to Demonica.
The Avengers West gather outside just in time to see their foes leave, and Clint asks Chris if eh can fly after them – but Darkhawk replies that he is more of a glider than a flier, so would never catch that jet. ‘And us with two wrecked Quinjets!’ Clint mutters. ‘That tears it! I’m getting another one from Stark International – and hang the red tape!’ Walker snaps, before Wanda reminds him that they still couldn’t invade a United Nations member nation. ‘Remember our charter!’ she adds. ‘FRAG our charter!’ Walker shouts, adding ‘That Soviet she-cat hasn’t seen the last of me!’.
Wanda tells Johnny that before he goes off half-cocked, at least let her contact the United Nations in New York. Moments later in the communications room once more, Wanda mutters that this must be one of the few parts of the Compound still in tact, as she dials their hotline to the United Nations. Greeted in a multitude of languages by a recorded message at the other end, Wanda is then asked if she can hold. ‘No! I’m afraid I cant! This is –‘ Wanda begins, but the recording ignores her and she is placed on hold. Stunned, Wanda is shocked that the answering machine put her on hold. ‘Welcome to the New World Order’ USAgent tells Wanda, who turns to him and asks ‘Are you still here?’ Johnny smirks and tells Wanda that she gets her meaning.
Shortly, Johnny, Clint and Bobbi depart the Compound inside Dr. Hank Pym’s “Rover” aircraft. Johnny mutters that it isn’t much good if you want to fly faster than a piper cub, to which Clint, arm around his wife, points out that it will at least get them to Stark’s in a few minutes. Bobbi remarks that she wished they knew more about those so-called “Battle-Droids”, or why they are attacking Stark International, while Johnny notices that Clint brought his archery set along. ‘Didn’t know it was deer season’ Johnny smirks. Clint is about to retaliate, but Bobbi tells him not to let Walker rile him.
Back at the Compound, ‘Come on, pick up, blast you!’ Wanda exclaims, frustrated that she is still waiting to get through to the United Nations, while Darkhawk mutters that he didn’t come West just to stand around. Spider-Woman tells him that she understands, but points out that, as he is a non-Avenger, he could get in even more trouble with Stark than the rest of them are liable to.
Arriving near Stark International, Johnny, Clint and Barbara see black smoke billowing into the air, and one of them exclaims that those droids are doing a “job” of Stark International. ‘They’re not doing us any good either!’ exclaims Clint as the “Rover” jet gets hit. ‘Don’t be a cry baby, Barton!’ USAgent replies as he lands the aircraft nose-first, and points out that they will have to walk the last few blocks. Mockingbird dodges some blasts while USAgent blocks them with his shield, and Hawkeye readies his bow-and-arrow.
Clint points out that they were probably shot down by some droids guarding the perimeter, and motions to some droids up ahead, suspecting that it was them. ‘Wave your bow-and-arrow – that’ll scare them!’ Johnny exclaims. ‘Agent – for pity’s sake!’ Mockingbird scolds Walker, who ignores her like usual and asks Clint what he is waiting for – ‘To see the whites of their eyes?’ Walker points out that if they really are droids, they wont have any.
Clint explains that he wants the droids close enough so he can use his electro-arrow, to which Walker asks him if he thinks he can electrocute a robot. As the droids get closer, Clint releases the arrow and replies ‘No’ but explains that a good burst of static might mess up their equilibrium for a second, long enough for the three of them to take initiative. 'Now there's an idea i can relate to!' Walker exclaims as he takes on two of the droids at once. Bobbi warns Clint not to grow more than fifteen feet, reminding him that he knows what happened last time.
As Goliath's massive hand flattens three of the droids, he replies that he knows, but points out that if he doesn’t go full size this time - there may not be a next time! 'Just be careful, okay?' Barbara remarks before flipping a droid over her shoulder and telling her husband that she has his back. Suddenly, Mockingbird notices a droid approaching her, and it releases a a energy beam, which she quickly flips over, 'That was close!'she is exclaims, 'But this - is a whole lot closer!' she jokes as she grabs the droids hand and forces it backwards, whereupon it releases its energy beam into itself. Bobbi is thankful for her battle staves which give her leverage, and remarks 'Talk about your suicide machines!'.
USAgent grimaces as he battles the droids, and remarks that the Avengers West took care of Ultron and his seven-foot War Toy, 'And you clowns aren't even made out of adamantium!' he shouts as he decapitates one of the droids with his shield, 'Now let's see what happens when you lose your head!' Walker remarks, only for a blast of energy to be fired at him from the droids neck, propelling him back across the area. Luckily for Walker, Goliath reaches out and grabs him, breaking his fall. 'You had to ask, huh, glory boy?' Clint remarks. 'Go on - say it!' he exclaims. 'Okay. Thanks'. Walker replies, before putting Johnny on the ground. Looking around at the massive pile of broken droids, Bobbi tells the men that they should go get the Quinjet now. 'It's a long haul to Demonica!'.
Meanwhile, some miles North of Hawaii and 35,000 feet above the ocean, inside a large passenger plane, the co-pilot tells his captain that the radio warning from Demonica ordered them to turn back. 'That glorified atoll's hundreds of miles off our route' the captain points out, asking what Dr. Demonicus can do to them - 'lasso us?' he jokes, when suddenly, the captain sees a strange shadow hovering around the plane, and all of the instruments go dead. 'Don't look now captain - but i think maybe he he just did!' the co-pilot exclaims, referring to being lassoed by Demonicus.
Indeed, a small craft has landed on top of the plane and latched itself to it. Inside the small vessel are Cybertooth and Kain, the former radios Dr. Demonicus and Kain announces that they have made contact with the jetliner that has violated their air space. Kain informs his master that he has negated all the plane's mechanical systems and their retrieval craft is now guiding it back to Demonica. 'Kain over and out' the lackey exclaims, while, in Demonica, a grusome Dr. Demonicus declares 'It is begun!'.


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Provide a full summary of the comic book.

[Assistant]
Pax Demonica, part 2: Personal Demons
The outskirts of Stark Enterprises Los Angeles Headquarters, three members of the Avengers West Coast are currently doing battle with a troop of battle droids as they make their way ever closer to Star Enterprises proper. ‘Come on, Goliath, Mockingbird - you two want to live forever?’ asks Johnny Walker a.k.a. the mighty USAgent as he rushes forward, dodging a powerful lazer beam as he calls to Clint “Goliath” Barton - who usually goes by the name “Hawkeye” and Clint’s wife Bobbi Morse-Barton, better known as Mockingbird. ‘Frankly, Agent - I wouldn’t mind!’ Bobbi calls back, before pointing out that these battle droids seem to have other ideas.
Bobbi dodges a laser beam, while USAgent blocks another one with his trust shield, ‘Tell me about it’ the handsome Johnny mutters as he points out that he is the one fighting a tank. Suddenly, a powerful blast of energy from above destroys the tank, and a voice shouts ‘For your information, Avenger - that model was called a cyber tank!’ and the silver-and-black clad armor worn by Iron Man comes into view. ‘Huh? It’s Iron Man - or is it?!’ one of the Avengers exclaims, surprised, while Mockingbird disarms the droid she is fighting, she sends it towards her larger-than-life husband, asking him to “scrap” it.
‘It’s scrapped!’ Clint replies as he brings a huge fist down upon the droid, crushing it. Barbara notices her husband’s size - taller than usual, and angrily snaps at him, ‘For pity’s sake - how many times do I have to tell you?’ she exclaims. Clint replies ‘I know! Fifteen feet - “tops”!’ he mutters, ‘See, I’m being a good boy again’ he jokes as he shrinks down. Iron Man drops to the ground and tells everyone that they can stand down, as he and Iron Man have finished off the other battle droids. ‘Then you’re not Stark?’ Mockingbird asks.
‘Stark conned me into thinking he was dead, like he did everybody else’ the armor-clad ally exclaims, before revealing that he has quit working for Stark, and wants to take the Avengers West up on their offer to join their team. ‘Not so fast, fella!’ Hawkeye exclaims, while USAgent reminds this Iron Man that there is still the little matter of his real I.D. ‘Oh well - if that’s all that’s sticking in your craw - I’m Jim Rhodes. Who did you think?’ the former substitute Iron Man exclaims, removing his helmet.
Hawkeye shakes his old friends hand, telling him that, what matters, if that he has told them who he is. Clint remarks that he cannot make it official yet, ‘But welcome aboard!’ he exclaims. Rhodey thanks Clint before asking if it was just the droids that brought them to Stark Enterprises. Never one for small-talk, USAgent announces that they need a Quinjet to get them to Demonica. ‘Is that all? Wait here!’ Rhodey exclaims as he blasts into the air, while calling out ‘By the way, I’ve got a new name now - call me WAR MACHINE!’.
Moments later, on the grounds of Stark International, a security guard is carrying some equipment and looking around at the mess, remarks that the droids really tore up the place. ’We’ll be weeks digging out!’ he complains, before noticing the new-model Quinjet and remarks that it is fortunate the droids didn’t damage that. Suddenly though, the security officer sees the Quinjet take off - except there is nobody inside! Looking up though, the security officer sees War Machine, lifting the Quinjet and exclaiming ‘Tell your born-again boss-man I’m requisitioning this hot rod for the Avengers West Coast!’.
The security officer contacts Tony Stark and informs him that the black-and-white Iron Man just picked the Quinjet with electro-magnets or something, and asks Stark if he should alert the police - or the army - or what? ‘None of the above’ Stark replies, before telling the officer that he wants a second Quinjet sent over to the Avengers West Compound as soon as one can be located. ‘And stick a note on it when you deliver it, okay? Tell them it’s from Tony Stark - and Iron Man. Oh, and tell them - I’m sorry’. A regretful Stark frowns and closes his eyes.
Meanwhile, on the recently risen nation of Demonica, in the Northern Pacific Ocean. A large red passenger aircraft has been forcibly grounded on the infant island and is surrounded by the Demonican military, while inside, two of the Pacific Overlords - Irezumi and Jawbreaker - are taking the pilots prisoner, informing them that their sky-vice vehicle has released the airliner on their runway, so now it is time they disembarked. ‘Let me down, you tattooed jerk!’ one of the crew exclaims as Irezumi picks them up, while another of the crew is warned by Jawbreaker that they may find out first hand how he gets his name.
Suddenly, Dr. Demonicus enters the aircraft and tells his Overlords to be gentle with their guests. One of the passengers recognizes Demonicus and informs the other passengers whom he is, exclaiming that he saw him on the headline news. ‘Your ship disabled out engines! You kidnapped us!’ the man shouts. Demonicus replies that he would prefer to think of them all as Demonica’s first tourists. ‘As such, I really insist you stay long enough to see all out island’s sights - and that could take years!’ the diabolical mad-man exclaims.
Two thousand miles away, at the rather badly damaged Avengers West Coast Compound, in Palos Verdes, California. The new Quinjet lands, and Julia “Spider-Woman” Carpenter and her friend and visiting hero Darkhawk a.k.a. Chris Powell come out to great the returning Avengers. War Machine shakes Darkhawk’s hand and after telling him that he is glad to meet him, he asks if he is a new recruit also. Darkhawk replies that he is just visiting, but has volunteered to help out. War Machine replies that the battledroids are all done with, to which Julia asks Rhodey if he hasn’t heard the latest, and announces that Demonica has hijacked a jetliner, not to mention one of the Overlords who tried to defect. While Clint motions to the armored heroes, he whispers to his wife that it looks like a walking scrap-metal drive, to which Bobbi tells him to shush, while Darkhawk announces that the Scarlet Witch is inside monitoring the ultimatum from Demonicus.
Shortly, inside, Wanda Maximoff a.k.a. the Scarlet Witch, who has been joined by USAgent, is watching Demonicus’s recording, as the deformed villain announces that there is a no-fly, no-ships zone for 500 miles in all directions around Demonica. ‘Well that’s enough of that!’ Wanda exclaims as she switches the channel, where a member of the United Nations informs Wanda that the U.N. President would like the Avengers West to comprise an official U.N. delegation to Demonica at once. ‘I’ll just bet he would!’ Walker complains, reminding everyone how, an hour ago, the U.N. had the Scarlet Witch on hold, but now they’re kissing up!
Clint informs Wanda that they have already called the U.N. about War Machine becoming an Avenger, to which Wanda thanks him, before pointing out that since they managed to get hold of a Quinjet, they should all get a move on, before turning to Darkhawk and telling him that since he is not an Avenger and therefore not under the United Nations charter, that perhaps he should stay here. ‘With all due respect Scarlet Witch…’ Darkhawk begins to reply, until Julia stands up for him, reminding Wanda that Chris came here to help. ‘Surely we could make him an honorary member or something’ Spider-Woman suggests.
Soon, ‘A Reservist in the Avengers West Coast, huh? Weird gig for a guy from New York!’ Darkhawk exclaims to War Machine as the two of them trail behind the Quinjet as it soars over the Pacific Ocean towards Demonica. ‘Haven’t you heard? Being bi-costal’s all the rage!’ Rhodey replies, before remarking to that he has to hand it to Darkhawk - not many super heroes would relish the idea of being towed cross-country at 30,000 feet by a wire extended from their armor like he is.
Rhodey then tells Darkhawk that his armor interests him, and asks if there is anything he can tell him about how it works. ‘Somehow, it doesn’t look mechanical’ he points out. ‘Uh…sorry. Trade secret’ Darkhawk replies. ‘Fair enough. Forget I asked’ Rhodey remarks, before pointing out that they should be over what Demonica claims for it’s airspace by now.
Inside the Quinjet, the other Avengers decide the same thing, and Walker declares that the human gargoyle Dr. Demonicus must have enough sense not to mess with the Avengers. Julia notices something wrong with Wanda and asks her about it, to which the Scarlet Witch replies that something is showing up on their radar - solid mass and half a mile across. ‘Heads up out there!’ she radios to Rhodey and Chris. Darkhawk replies that they see it, and that it is coming straight for them, straight out of the sun.
War Machine suddenly announces that it’s not an “it”, but a “them” as countless horrid creatures fly towards the Avengers. Rhodey adds that they look like a swarm of those “flying piranha” that Kuroko warned them about. Wanda orders Darkhawk and War Machine to stay close to the Quinjet, suggesting that they might just be Demonicus’ idea of an armed escort. ‘Like maybe “Alien” was somebody’s idea of “E.T”?’ Rhodey asks, referencing two very different science fiction aliens, before asking “’Hawk”’ if he is with him. ‘All the way “Mash”!’ Chris replies.
War Machine blasts one of the creatures, then another, as does Darkhawk, who exclaims that there are only a few thousand to go around now, before pointing out that the creatures don’t seem to be able to penetrate their armor. ‘I just hope we can say the same thing about the Quinjet’s!’ Darkhawk remarks as the creatures begin to attack the Quinjet. Spider-Woman, who is piloting the Quinjet, points out that this aircraft has a stronger hull than the ship Kuroko stole from Demonicus, but she still doesn’t want to take any chances, and pulls the Quinjet up almost at a ninety-degree angle, bursting through the flying piranha.
Wanda points out that the creatures aren’t following, and suspects that they need at least as much oxygen as they get at 40,000 feet or below. ‘You’re a real hot-rodder, aren’t you, Red?’ USAgent remarks to Spider-Woman, who points out that if they wreck another Quinjet so soon after the other two, then not even the United Nations could pry another one out of Stark.
Back in open air, Darkhawk points out that the creatures are all backing off at the same time. Rhodey replies that he wishes he could say it was because of their firepower, but that he suspects they creatures got some kind of mental command. ‘If it was Dr. Demonicus, I guess he figures he made his point’. Rhodey adds, before motioning down to Demonica which is not far away. ‘Good!’ shouts Darkhawk, exclaiming that he was getting a little tired of being towed like a car with a busted axle.
Shortly, the Quinjet lands, and all the Avengers West Coast step onto Demonica. ‘Terra firma! No just let somebody try to kick us around!’ Hawkeye exclaims, while the Scarlet Witch turns to Dr. Demonicus, flanked by his minions and the Demonican army, and asks him what the big idea was of sending those creatures upon them. ‘Really, Ms. Maximoff!’ Retorts Demonicus. ‘If you will insist on invading the air space of sovereign nations uninvited!’.
Darkhawk reminds Demonicus that he issued any U.N. delegation a standing invitation when Demonica joined the United Nations. Goliath takes control of the situation, and asks Demonicus what he has done with Kuroko since she was kidnapped by Klaw and Morning Star. ‘Why she’s right here!’ Demonicus replies, motioning to empty space, which is suddenly taken up when Kuroko’s form materializes, from invisible, to tangible, Kuroko greets the Avengers In her native tongue, while Demonicus remarks that he senses a certain degree of skepticism from his self-invited guests, and asks Kuroko to tell the Avengers that she returned with Klaw and Zvezda Dennista of her own free will.
Clearly mind-controlled, Kuroko monotonously replies ‘I returned with Klaw and Zvezda Dennista of my own free will’. Obviously, the Avengers West are not convinced. ‘Boy, you don’t even bother trying to fool us, do you, Doc?’ Clint remarks, before explaining to Demonicus that they are here to remind him that Demonica was admitted to the United Nations so fast because of the “spadework” he had done behind the scenes before Demonica surfaced, promising to share its mineral resources with the world. ‘Try reneging and you’ll find out not everybody in the U.S. is a wuss!’ Walker warns Demonicus.
But Demonicus replies that former promises are no longer operative, since his island is now a theocracy, dedicated to the worship of the demon Raksasa. ‘The which?’ mutters USAgent, before Demonicus announces that he is no longer merely Demonica’s president-for-life, but its High Priest!. Demonicus points out that if Taiwan and Singapore can become world powers, then imagine what thus resource-rich nation can do. He adds that his aerial demon-swarm will enforce the will of Raksasa, before telling the Avengers West to leave his island now, otherwise he will have them incarcerated like the other trespassers.
‘Just try it, fright-face!’ Darkhawk exclaims, before War Machine shushes him, suggesting they let the regulars handle the wordplay. The ever-reasonable Mockingbird steps forward and, due to her scientist background, tells Demonicus that his “demon-swarm” have the earmarks of a genetic mutation. ‘So you can can the “holy war” talk!’ Bobbi exclaims. ‘Get out - NOW!’ shouts Demonicus angrily. ‘What do you think, guys?’ Spider-Woman asks. ‘I vote we bust some chops!’ Johnny replies, to which Clint seconds.
But Wanda tells her teammates to back down, reminding them that their instructions under these circumstances are to let the security council handle matters. Wanda tells Demonicus that they will leave, provided he proves to them that the hostages are still safe. ‘What she said!’ War Machine exclaims, backing up the Scarlet Witch. But Demonicus doesn’t agree to that and tells the Avengers West that they must go, because if they don’t, then his Pacific Overlords will throw them out. ‘Right!’ exclaims Jawbreaker as he marches forward towards the super heroes.
‘Wrong!’ bellow Clint as he smashes Jawbreaker aside, informing him that he isn’t dealing with Hawkeye the Archer this time round, but Goliath!. One of the Demonican soldiers tells his colleagues that this is where they go paid to do what they used to on their own - before Demonicus sprung them from prisons back in their home countries. ‘Commence firing!’ another shouts as they open fire on the Avengers West Coast. Clint makes a comment about the weapons the soldiers are using and as the blasts hit him, boasts that it will take a battery of them to bring him down.
‘Don’t give them any ideas, big man!’ War Machine exclaims as he begins the offense against the soldiers, while asking Darkhawk if he wants to team up and launch their own version of the “Armor Wars”. ‘Sure thing War - or should I call you “Machine”?’ Darkhawk replies, before pointing out that Spider-Woman and the Scarlet Witch look like they could use some help - ‘Cause the guy with the pincushion head just went “Godzilla”!’.
Indeed, Demonicus’ loyal Overlord, Kain, has just increased his mass. Julia warns Wanda about Kain, while Wanda replies that she already has her hands full dealing with Cybertooth. War Machine gets himself in trouble as he flies near Kain, who begins doing something to Rhodey’s armor. ‘Hang tough, hero!’ Darkhawk calls out as he soars past, thinking that as his armor is basically non-technological, Kain will not be expecting an attack from him, and Chris unleashes a blast of energy at Kain’s face, causing the villain to shout and fumble backwards, releasing War Machine in the process.
Clint asks his friend if he is okay, to which Rhodey replies that he is after Darkhawk distracted Kain, and is about to launch another attack, when Goliath tells him not to, ‘At this size - he’s my meat!’ Clint exclaims as he smacks Kain hard in the face. Darkhawk soars past, thinking to himself ‘So this is what it’s like to be part of a team effort! Wonder if the Avengers East have a vacancy…’.
Nearby, Johnny calls out to Morning Star, ‘Yo, Zvezda! If you’re so hot on mother Russia - why’d you rent yourself out to Demonic?’. Morning Star soars past USAgent and calls him a “Yankee pig” before explaining that she did not give her loyalty to Russia - but to the Soviet Union, which, is no more. Zvezda Dennista adds that even her former group, the Bogatyri made too many accommodations to Boris Yeltsin, so she left them. ‘But becoming a Demonican does not mean I hate America less - and anyone or anything symbolic of it!’ she snaps as she flies past Walker and his shield.
Irezumi comes up behind the Scarlet Witch and tells her that she may have been able to hex Cybertooth, but would she like to try her luck against the power of his tattoos, which he can use to neutralize any power hurled against him. Wanda glares at Irezumi and replies that it doesn’t seem she has got much of a choice really. Tossing a hex at Irezumi, nothing seems to happen, so Wanda replies that it looks as if they cancel each other out. ‘Only in that sense!’ Irezumi replies, before pointing out that, as Wanda apparently hasn’t noticed, he is now at least twice her size, ‘And that you cannot counter-balance!’.
As Irezumi rushes towards Wanda, Demonicus tells his lackey to hurt the Scarlet Witch. ‘Even main her - but do not kill her!’ he exclaims. ‘Don’t worry Demonicus - he won’t!’ Wanda replies as she, surprisingly, flips Irezumi over her shoulder, thinking to herself that the martial arts tips Bobbi has been giving her have really paid off. Wanda turns and is about to do something else, when Irezumi grabs hold of her cape and pulls her backwards. ‘Again with that blasted cape!’ Wanda exclaims, when suddenly Julia comes to her friends rescue, ‘I told you those things were passé, Wanda!’ Julia exclaims as she leaps at Irezumi.
‘Sayonara, friend!’ Spider-Woman exclaims as she smacks Irezumi over with her enhanced strength, before asking if there are any more Overlord jerks left unaccounted for. ‘Only one, Spider-Woman…Kuroko!’ exclaims the brainwashed Kuroko as she becomes visible and knocks Spider-Woman in the face with her staff.
USAgent dodges Morning Star’s power and asks her if the Reds ever gave her a medal for marksmanship. ‘I could dodge your little rays of sunshine all day down here!’ Walker boasts. ‘Then we shall see how you fare at closer range!’ Morning Star replies as she flies down closer to USAgent, who suddenly leaps into the air, and with his shield held high, smacks Zvezda Dennista hard in the face, ‘Ha! That was the easiest bit of red-baiting I ever did!’ Walker boasts. ‘And they say I’m too hot-headed for me own good’ he jokes, while Morning Star falls to the ground, Johnny realizes that he really hurt her.
Johnny lands safely on the ground, thinking to himself that with power like Zvezda Dennista has got, he figured even his shield, with all his muscle behind it, would barely hold - ‘Hey - what am I thinking!?’ he tells exclaims, reminding himself that Morning Star is an unreconstructed communist. ‘And I’m the man Captain America is in his dreams!’ However, Johnny admits that he is not that keen on beating up women, and decides to check on Zvezda Dennista to see if she is all right - unaware that Jawbreaker has snuck up behind him. ‘Getting careless in your old age, Avenger?’ Jawbreaker exclaims as he smacks Walker over the head with a metal instrument. ‘Fool! I could have handled him!’ Morning Star shouts as she approaches Jawbreaker. ‘Yeah, I saw how great you were doing!’ Cybertooth replies.
‘Don’t try it, Scarlet Witch!’ Dr. Demonicus warns the Scarlet Witch as she conjures up a hex and aims it at the villain. ‘Your mutant hex might harm me, true - but at what cost to the passengers and crew of Zeta Airlines Flight #223?’ Demonicus asks, motioning to the crew and passengers behind him, all guarded by the Demonican army. Wanda tells Demonicus that they will leave, to which Demonicus replies that he wants USAgent and Mockingbird to remain behind. ‘WHAT!?’ shouts Hawkeye. ‘You’re not keeping my wife here!’ he exclaims.
Demonicus warns the Avengers that the rest of them must depart now, or else his men will commence firing. ‘Even you Avengers could not prevent all their bullets from striking human targets!’ Demonicus exclaims. Barbara tells Clint to go, that she will be fine. But Clint doesn’t agree, ‘No!’ he exclaims. He is about to make a threat, when War Machine comes up behind him and stuns him. Rhodey apologizes, but points out that, like Wanda said, they have no choice. ‘You’re coming with us even if we have to cart you out!’ War Machine remarks. And soon, as the Quinjet leaves Demonica, with War Machine flying alongside it, Rhodey thinks to himself ‘And I’ll just hope and pray that by the time you wake up - we can all be certain it was for the best!’.
As soon as “Demonican” radar operators, who until recently were inmates in the world’s most bribable prisons, have tracked the Quinjet a sufficient distance from Demonica. At that time, Dr. Demonicus, the Overlords, Klaw, Morning Star, and prisoners Mockingbird and USAgent - who is bound - make their way across the island. Cybertooth asks Klaw if he is sure his sonic bonds will hold USAgent, to which Klaw replies that he needs know menta-spore on his head like the Overlords to know how to hobble his enemy, to which Demonicus orders everyone to be silent. ‘The cave entrance to the temple of Raksasa is at hand!’ Demonicus reveals.
Mockingbird, walking alongside Kuroko, begins whispering to her: ‘Even with that thing stuck on your head to sap your will power - you must know we’re trying to do the same thing you flew to California to do - to save Demonicus - Dr. Birely - from this “demon” he now claims to serve’. But even if Kuroko hears what Barbara has to say, she makes no reaction. Bobbi realizes that she is not getting through, and notes that, in many ways, the Overlords act normal. Bobbi realizes that Klaw and Morning Star must be immune, perhaps since they didn’t get their powers from Demonicus, he hasn’t got their wavelength. Bobbi decides that if anything gets them out of this mess, it evidently will not be Kuroko.
As they all descend into a massive cave, Bobbi supposes that this might be her and Walker’s last stop. Demonicus tells his Overlords to keep a close watch on the prisoners while he begins the ritual. A massive monument with four serpent-like carvings stands in the middle of the cave, with a skeleton stuck to one side, and some sort of large cauldron at its foot. Demonicus stands beside some sort of script carved into a panel and Bobbi decides that Demonicus is definitely in charge here, but nevertheless, she gets the notion that he is being controlled as fully as the Pacific Overlords. Bobbi wonders why she senses that but Klaw and Zvezda do not.
Demonicus begins his chant, ‘Come, O Raksasa - Master of the Universe Beyond the Door! Open the gateway, we pray - that thy human servants may learn more perfectly thy will, and thine ultimate desire…allow us to behold thee at last in the flesh, O Raksasa…and make of us the clay of thy divine purpose!’. Mockingbird asks Klaw and Zvezda how they like being part of some nutty State religion, to which USAgent, who has regained consciousness, exclaims ’A gal who’s nostalgic for the USSR? It’s obvious these two’ll do anything for power!’. ‘You know nothing about me, Agent!’ Zvezda snaps back, while Klaw remarks that whatever Demonicus wants to believe makes no difference to him, when suddenly, he alerts everyone’s attention to the whirling matrix in the air.
‘Something is materializing within it - could it be…’ begins Klaw, to which Dr. Demonicus shouts ‘RAKSAS!’ as the horrid serpent-like creature comes into focus. ‘Thy faithful ones await thy command, o demon from the deep dimensions!’ Demonicus announces to Raksasa. Horrid sounds emit from Raksasa as the demon creature declares ‘It is time, mortal - the Day of Raksasa is about to begin!’. Raksasa declares that he has need of worshippers - ‘And the worship I need is birthed in fear!’ Raksasa exclaims, while Demonicus informs him that the outside world teems with life. ‘That is why I spoke to you the day you found this cavern!’ Raksasa replies.
Raksasa announces that he has already sent his demon-swarm here before him to test how they, and thus he, would fare. Raksasa declares that his demon-swarm have thrived, and that now, they strike with full-frenzied force. Indeed, at that moment, Raksasa’s demon-swarm fly about the island. Raksasa declares that the islands called Hawaiian shall feel his demon-swarm’s fury first, and announces that the rest of this sphere will soon follow.
Morning Star asks Klaw if he knew about this, to which Klaw replies that he didn’t, and explains that he thought Demonicus had created his menta-spores and “air piranha” with technology. Mockingbird turns to the villains and asks them how long they suppose that “thing” is going to need them and Demonicus. Mockingbird looks at the shackles around her hands, and as USAgent has a large bond around his whole body, created by Klaw, Bobbi notes that she is not bound as well as Walker. Bobbi looks at her battle staves which Kuroko is holding in her hands, and realizes that in her trance, the staves are being held very stiffly.
Bobbi reaches forward, her hands bound, she hopes she can activate her stave and budge it just enough. She isn’t sure it will work, but with the whole world at stake, she knows she has to try. It works, and her stave extends out to its full length fast enough and hard enough to hit Klaw in the back of his head, stunning him, as he doesn’t hear Kain’s ‘Look out!’ warning. Kuroko is shocked as the stave is out of her control, while Bobbi hopes that Klaw being stunned results in the next part of her plan. It does work, and Walker tells Bobbi that she made a good shot, as with Klaw down, the sonic bonds have disappeared.
To make sure Kuroko does not become invisible, Walker knocks her on the head, while using his incredible strength to break Mockingbird’s shackles. Cybertooth suddenly shouts ’I’ll get him, Doctor’ and runs up behind Walker with Walker’s shield, but Johnny knocks Cybertooth over, ‘You couldn’t get arrested!’ USAgent declares while Bobbi picks up her battle staves and smacks Dr. Demonicus over, but with Jawbreaker and Morning Star behind them, she tells Walker that they cannot fight them all. Walker smashes up some of the altar and tells Mockingbird that they will make a break for it together. Raksasa tells Demonicus that the two of them should have been killed long ago, to which Demonicus assures his master that USAgent and Mockingbird will not leave this cavern alive - he swears it!
Meanwhile, on the Northern tip of Hawaii, the Quinjet lands at an airstrip, where several Hawaiian soldiers are waiting. One of them asks his colleagues if they think it is the Avengers in there, to which the reply comes ‘If it isn’t - we start blasting!’. The Quinjet hatch opens and the Avengers step out. ‘Looks like some of them all right - but I don’t see Captain America!’ one of the soldiers exclaims. ‘Wrong ocean, soldier!’ Spider-Woman tells the soldier, while Clint tells his friends that he thinks they should re-fuel and head back to Demonica.
War Machine lands as the Scarlet Witch asks her dear friend Hawkeye what good that would do, ‘This isn’t just about Mockingbird’ she remarks, reminding everyone that Agent and two hundred civilians are also being held hostage. ‘I don’t care! I want her back - and I’m going to get her!’ Clint exclaims. ‘And he’s supposed to be our chairman? Barton’s obsessed by his wife’s peril!’ War Machine thinks to himself.
Darkhawk tells the others that he will go along with whatever they decide, but that he would prefer not to cool their heels here. Suddenly, Julia motions to the sky and declares that she doesn’t think there will be much danger of that. Everyone else looks skyward as a cloud of horror speeds towards them. ‘The demon-swarm…’ whispers Wanda.


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Pax Demonica, part 3: Demonica, Mon Amour
‘Think we can take ‘em, Mockingbird?’ asks Johnny Walker a.k.a. the USAgent as he and his fellow Avenger West Coaster Barbara “Bobbi” Morse-Barton stand before a horde of deadly enemies. ‘Peace of cake’ Bobbi replies. ‘After all, they’re two of us - and only eight of them, right!?’ Trapped in a sacred cave in the island nation of Demonica, Johnny and Bobbi are hostages of the diabolical Dr. Demonicus who orders his Pacific Overlords to kill the Avengers. ‘I should never have kept them alive as hostages!’ he shouts.
USAgent is about to say something, only to be blasted by the energies of Demonicus’ ally Morning Star a.k.a. Zvezda Dennista. Johnny warns Bobbi that he is stiff and can barely move. Bobbi replies that she can see his problem and uses her battle staves as a pole vault to leap over Klaw - another of Demonicus’ associates - as he tries to blast her with his sonic mix-master. ‘It’s your buddy Irezumi who’ll have to be your sounding board!’ Mockingbird exclaims as indeed, Klaw’s energies slam into the Pacific Overlord known as Irezumi, who is knocked backwards.
Mockingbird slams down upon Cybertooth, knocking the Overlord to the ground while she notes that Irezumi’s mystic tattoo of USAgent - which is responsible for Agent not being able to move - is fading, and Johnny can move again. ‘From the looks of things, not a moment too soon, either’ Bobbi decides as Zvezda continues her assault on Walker. Demonicus calls out to his other Overlords, informing them that Morning Star has USAgent on the run. ‘Surely the rest of you can handle on ordinary woman!’ he snaps, exclaiming that Mockingbird must not be allowed to disrupt his demon-swarm’s assault on Hawaii.
‘I’ll pound her into the temple floor, Dr. Demonicus!’ boasts Jawbreaker as he slams the ground Mockingbird stands on. Bobbi balances herself and replies ‘Maybe you would have, Jawbreaker - if he hadn’t planted that menta-spore on your brow!’ However, as Bobbi points out, the Overlords’ mind-controlled reflexes are a bit off - which makes Jawbreaker just another slow-witted oaf. With that said, Barbara slams one of her staves into her opponents face - hard, only to suddenly, be tripped up by an invisible assailant and knocked unconscious - ‘Speed is not everything!’ exclaims Kuroko as she comes into view. Demonicus applauds Kuroko, before wondering where Morning Star and USAgent got to.
Not far away, but outside the temple and in a complex, Walker holds up a fire extinguisher and lets it loose on Zvezda, ‘Come and get it, Russkie!’ he shouts, but Morning Star easily dodges the foam, telling her opponent that will hardly stop her. Walker runs down the corridor, annoyed that he has to run away from the fight, as he would certainly take his best shot with Morning Star - but not when the Pacific Overlords get into the act too.
Suddenly, Walker runs straight into the Demonican Army, which he had forgotten about. ‘Halt!’ one of the “soldiers” exclaims, but Johnny knows that they are not crack troops, just trigger-happy jailbirds dredged up from third-world prisons. The handsome Avenger dives at the criminals and smacks them out with his trusty shield, while admitting that for an island that was sitting o the ocean floor a few months ago, Demonica has come a long way, not to mention Demonicus is making his move to turn it into a world power.
Walker continues his retreat, knowing that he needs some breathing space to figure out his next move, he sees a group of people up ahead and shouts at them, telling them to get away. ‘I don’t want to hurt anybody I don’t have to!’ USAgent exclaims, when suddenly, a man trips him up. Johnny gets off the ground and slams his powerful fist into the locals face, telling himself that he should have realized Demonicus recruited the rest of the population from the same prisons he got his soldiers. ‘That mean’s I’m the only person on the whole island that’s on my side!’ Johnny thinks to himself, before deciding what else is new, in reference to the way none of his teammates support him.
Johnny runs down some steps, the civilians slowed him down just enough for Morning Star to catch up, and the feisty Soviet continues to throw her energies at Walker, but as Walker points out, Zvezda’s aim must be getting bad, as she hasn’t actually hit him since they fled Demonicus’ temple. Johnny thinks it is almost as if Morning Star is herding him. ‘Closer, Zvezda, but not cigar!’ he shouts at the pink-clad women. ‘Missed again’ he exclaims as another blast of energy hit’s a wall, which Johnny then smacks with his shield, enabling him to burst through the wall and get into the next chamber, which is some sort of warehouse.
Turning around, Walker sees that Morning Star has flown in right after him. ‘She’s got guts - I’ll give her that!’ he tells himself, ‘It’s almost a shame to have to knock them out of her!’ he adds as he tosses his shield towards her. ‘Repeat - almost!’ he remarks, only for Zvezda to dodge his shield, and blast it with her energies, holding it in the air so it will not return to Walker. Zvezda drops to the ground and Walker exclaims ‘All right, comrade, it’s just mano-a-mano now - more or less’ and suggests they get this over with - one way or the other.
‘Nothing would delight me more, Agent!’ Zvezda replies, before informing him that she drove him here so that they could have their own private summit conference. ‘Huh? Then you were missing me on purpose?’ asks a surprised Walker. ‘What’s the catch?’ he exclaims. ‘There is no “catch-22” as you Yankees say’ Zvezda assures USAgent. Surprisingly, Morning Star reveals that she wants the two of them to join forces - against Dr. Demonicus!
Meanwhile, at a sprawling military base on the northern tip of Oahu, the demon-swarm of Raksasa strike. The flying piranha swarm about several aircraft, which have been ordered to fire. One of the pilots urgently announces that the weird creatures are eating their way into his plane - into all of the planes. He then ejects himself from his plane - but with his parachute up and floating through the air, he is immediately attacked by the creatures, and screams as they tear away at his flesh, leaving little remains to fall into the ocean nearby.
Nearby stand ready the other members of the Avengers West Coast - Wanda “Scarlet Witch” Maximoff, Clint “Goliath” Barton, Julia “Spider-Woman” Carpenter, James “War Machine” Rhodes and reserve member Chris “Darkhawk” Powell. War Machine exclaims that they warned the commanding officer not to send the planes up, as they are just fodder for those air-piranha. Darkhawk asks his new ally if he thinks the two of them can stand off against the whole swarm, and as the heroes take to the air, Rhodey replies that if they don’t, then Demonicus - or that thing he worships - will gain a strangle-hold on the entire mid-Pacific.
Darkhawk soars alongside War Machine and replies that it looks like it is time to play “White Knights” - even if they are not color-coded for it, and together, the two heroes begin blasting away at the horrid creatures. Goliath - also known as Hawkeye - turns to his dear friend the Scarlet Witch, pointing out that Rhodey and Darkhawk are doing great so far, but that even they cannot hold out forever. Clint then notices the second wave of creatures headed for another pilot. He begins rushing over there, despite Wanda telling him not to, pointing out that they still do not know what those things can do to flesh.
Hawkeye motions to the pilot and asks Julia to get him out of here, while he gives the creatures a bigger target. Clint increases his mass, explaining that the more of him that there is, the less harm each of the creatures bites will do to him. Julia tells Clint to watch his eyes. The creatures indeed begin to swarm Clint, who thinks that his plan worked, but there is so many of the creatures. Clint then increases his height to sixty feet, reminding himself that Hank Pym said he cannot last long at this size without doing some long-term damage to himself. ‘But the way they keep coming at me - that’s gonna be the least of my worries!’ Clint decides as the flying piranha continue to peck away at him.
Wanda sees her friends’ plight, and fearing that any second now the creatures will be through to Clint’s vital organs, she summons a hex, although fearing that her power may not work on other-dimensional beings, she knows she has to try before it is too late. However, in an instant, Clint vanishes, though the demon-swarm remains. Down on the ground, Hawkeye wonders what has happened, before realizing that he has been shrunk down to his Ant-Man size. He recalls seeing the Scarlet Witch gesturing and assumes it to be her doing, before deciding that he must get behind Spider-Woman’s newly erected psionic webs before the piranhas see him. And as he dives for safety behind Julia’s force-field of webs, he hopes that Rhodey and Darkhawk are holding out topside.
Speaking of whom, Darkhawk tells War Machine that it is a good thing these mini-demons can die, to which Rhodey replies ‘Don’t know if it’s occurred to you or not, friend - but so can we!’. Rhodey replies.
Back on the ground, the trio of heroes are behind Spider-Woman’s psionic webs, and after returning to his regular size, Clint ushers some soldiers into the web through a part that Julia evaporated so they can get into the cement bunker where it is safe. Clint then thanks Wanda for shrinking him back there, to which Wanda replies that she only wishes that was what she was actually trying to do. ‘Huh?’ replies Clint, confused. Julia suddenly announces that the creatures are giving up on her psi-web and veering off. Wanda points out that the piranhas are heading South though. ‘Oh my God…Honolulu!’ Spider-Woman exclaims.
At that moment, back on Demonica, its ruler angrily demands to know where Zvezda Dennista and the USAgent are. ‘If the Avenger has escaped…’ Demonicus begins, when suddenly Morning Star re-enters the cave, ‘He has not, comrade Doctor!’ she exclaims, holding up Walker’s shield. Morning Star then reveals that her fireball-derived powers have reduced USAgent to ashes, except his shield, which she offers to Demonicus so he can have as a keepsake. ‘Or rather - as a subject for experimentation!’ the insane Dr. Demonicus replies as he takes Walker’s shield.
Demonicus then orders Zvezda to take her appointed place, as he must summon Raksasa once more, explaining that without his physical presence, the demon-swarm will rapidly lose their foothold upon this plane and fade back into their own dimension. ‘And wouldn’t that be a shame’ Mockingbird remarks sarcastically from where she is bound and captive on a large rock slab. ‘Let the ritual begin!’ Demonicus orders as his Overlords, Klaw and Morning Star flank him.
Demonicus begins his chant again to summon Raksasa into this world, while standing at the back of the criminals, Morning Star quietly calls out to Klaw, telling him that, as he is the master of sound, she knows he can hear her, while the others cannot, before asking the villain if he has thought about what he - they - are doing helping Demonicus. ‘Can you hope for a place of prominence on an Earth dominated by a demon?’ Zvezda asks, before telling Klaw that they must stop Demonicus from summoning Raksasa before he completes the incantation.
Klaw looks at Zvezda oddly, but before as he opens his mouth to speak, it is not his voice which is heard next, but that of USAgent, who leaps into action as he returns, kicking Demonicus hard in the head. ‘Sorry, lady! Couldn’t wait any longer!’ Walker tells Zvezda, who instantly blasts all five Pacific Overlords with her energies, while calling Agent a fool and asking him if he couldn’t have waited another moment - until she had possibly gained them another ally, but now, it’s too late.
‘Are you going to get on my case about jumping the gun too?’ USAgent asks Mockingbird as he takes back his shield and uses it to slice the ropes that are binding her. ‘Couldn’t bee too soon for me!’ Mockingbird replies. ‘Now that’s more like it!’ Walker exclaims, only to be struck by an invisible force, hard on his neck. Mockingbird points out that it must have been Kuroko, to which Walker swings around and uses his shield to smack Kuroko, forcing her to become visible again as she falls over. ‘Did you really think that Russian’s “love tap” could take me out?’ asks Jawbreaker as he lunges at USAgent, who replies ‘Frankly, I’d rather waste you myself!’.
As Morning Star’s power darts around, Irezumi stands defiantly, boasting that Zvezda’s solar flares will not strike him again, and that already the tattoos he is forming of her and the USAgent are beginning to form. ‘Let me be the one to sink my metal teeth into her throat!’ exclaims Cybertooth. Irezumi grins as the images of Walker and Dennista become complete, only to be knocked over by a blast of solid energy - from Klaw. Zvezda drops down beside her ally, ’You did decide to join us!’ she exclaims, relieved. ’Most reluctantly’ Klaw replies, before admitting that Raksasa is a menace to them all. ’You wanted to go a few more rounds, big man. Does this make you change your mind?’ USAgent asks Jawbreaker as he smashes the lackey up.
However, Dr. Demonicus has risen and once more begins his chant to bring Raksasa into this world - this time, he succeeds, as the horrid demon begins to materialize. ‘We’ve got to stop it!’ Bobbi cries urgently. Klaw exclaims that he will stop it alone, ‘Betrayer!’ Demonicus calls his vice-president as Klaw raises his weapon to blast Raksasa with sonic blasts, while telling Demonicus that it is he who has betrayed them all. However, Kain shouts ‘No!’ and takes control of Klaw’s vibranium claw, and redirects the sonic blasts so that they scatter around the underground temple. ‘Let them tear the temple apart - even tear us apart - but they mustn’t touch Dr. Demonicus or Raksasa!’ Kain shouts.
USAgent takes control of the situation, ‘If it’s all the same with you, Kain, I’d just as soon stick Klaw’s hand-gear somewhere it’s not liable to rip us to shreds!’ Walker exclaims as he pushes Klaw’s hand into the floor, despite Klaw telling USAgent to stop it, as he doesn’t know what he is doing. ‘There’s just no pleasing some people!’ Walker mutters, while Demonicus once again begins his chant. ‘Doesn’t he ever give up?’ asks Mockingbird as she battles Cybertooth.
However, as Raksasa hovers on the fringes of this dimensions, his demi-presence is already making itself felt elsewhere on Earth - in the Pacific, where War Machine and Darkhawk have been following the flying piranha as they make their way to Honolulu. Rhodey exclaims that there is no way they can stop them all. ‘It’ll be a bloodbath!’ shouts Darkhawk.
Back in the temple, Raksasa urges Demonicus to complete the chant to bring him completely back to Earth, while USAgent rushes towards Kain, calling him “Citizen Kain” Walker remarks that Kain likes playing puppeteer with mechanical gadgets. ‘Well here’s a bulletin for you!’ Walker shouts as he tosses his shield towards Kain, remarking that it has no movable parts - it just moves. And with that, Johnny’s trusty shield smacks Kain hard in the face, enabling Klaw to switch his claw off and pull it from the ground, wondering what his uncontrolled sonic vibrations will have done yo what lies beneath this temple.
‘I think you just had your answer!’ Cybertooth mutters as the whole temple begins to rumble. ‘No! Not that!’ cries Demonicus as the temple begins to shake and crumble. ‘Not now…when I was so close to extending my dimensional domain!’ shrieks Raksasa. Outside the temple, buildings begin to tumble to the ground, and the Demonican “army” runs for safety. Back inside, Klaw exclaims that his sonic blasts have undermined Demonica, and calls USAgent a fool for dooming them all. ‘I should -’ Klaw begins until Mockingbird interrupts him, telling him that he will have to get in line, motioning to where Jawbreaker is attacking him.
Klaw begins tussling with Jawbreaker, enabling USAgent to call out to Zvezda, asking her to begin blasting at Jawbreaker and Klaw. ‘What? But Klaw is -’ Zvezda begins to reply until Johnny interrupts her again, ‘No questions! Just do it!’ Morning Star complies and blasts both Klaw and Jawbreaker, before demanding to know why she had to. ‘Because this gives me a straight shot at Demonicus!’ USAgent replies as he hurls his trusty shield at the madman, smacking him right in the chest. Johnny also points out that since Demonicus hasn’t finished brining Raksasa to Earth, the demon should return to his own dimension - which is exactly what happens.
At that moment, ‘Will you look at that!’ Darkhawk exclaims, while War Machine remarks that something must have happened to Demonicus or to the demon who has taken control of him - for the demon-swarm have ruined on each other and are now ripping each other to shreds. Indeed, much to the heroes’ relief, the horrid demons have begun devouring each other.
Back on Demonica, some of the Demonican “army” are guarding the hostages from the passenger airline, one of whom exclaims that the tremors have stopped - but for how long? ‘No talking, hostages!’ barks one of the “soldiers”, while another passenger demands to know if they are just going to be kept here. ‘We’ll all be killed!’ he exclaims. ‘That tears it, baldy!’ the “soldier” exclaims, aiming his machine gun at the hostage, he tells him that he wont have to worry about anything falling on him as he is going to cut him in half right now!
But the “soldiers” commanding officer tells him to chill out and act like a soldier, not a trigger-happy ex-con, and orders him to let the hostages go. ‘Huh? But Captain - Demonicus said -’ comes the reply, but the commanding officer interrupts, declaring that Demonicus is dead and the whole island is coming apart at the seams. Suddenly, Mockingbird calls out ‘You can be real glad you stopped your man, Captain it saved you two of a couple of battle staves in the back of your skulls!’ USAgent, Zvezda Dennista and Klaw stand with Mockingbird as Walker orders everyone to get on the plane that was hijacked. ‘Hurry! Before the quaking begins anew!’ Morning Star urges.
So, minutes later, the passengers and crew of Zeta Airlines flight 223 resume their interrupted journey on an aircraft filled to almost overflowing, followed by the aging fleet of Demonica airlines, with virtually the entire sparse population of the neo-nation crowded aboard. Barely in time, as the runway is torn apart by another tremor.
Klaw points out that although Raksasa is indeed gone, the tremors have started again. Morning Star and USAgent look at each other as Zvezda points out that the island is on the top of a very thin submerged mountain. Mockingbird points out that Klaw’s vibes must have cracked the stem, and now the island is liable to slide into the ocean. ‘Thanks to me burying his claw! Well what did I know!’ USAgent replies, before reminding Zvezda that she said she could possible carry them all out of here, when, suddenly, Klaw turns on his recent-allies, declaring that he will not go with them to become a captive again, as he has business elsewhere with the Human Torch. But as he makes a hasty getaway, a rockslide appears and washes Klaw away.
Back inside what remains of the temple, Kuroko kneels beside Demonicus, while Jawbreaker asks her what they should do, as he cannot think clearly. Kuroko replies that, although her menta-probe has fallen from her, she will never abandon Dr. Birely - as she loves him and have always loved him. Demonicus looks at Kuroko, and admits that he betrayed her love. Kuroko points out that Demonica is being destroyed, to which Demonicus replies that it was he who destroyed it, when he let Raksasa seduce him with visions of total power. Demonicus declares that he doomed his dreams of an empire, just as he has doomed all of his Overlords. ‘Please - forgive me!’ he exclaims, before the entire temple caves in over Demonicus, Kuroko, Jawbreaker, Cybertooth, Kain and Irezumi.
Back outside on the sinking island, Mockingbird motions upwards where the Quinjet and War Machine are hovering overhead. Walker sees and remarks that it looks like Zvezda will not have to strain her arms after all, before turning to Morning Star and pointing out that there is a lot of ocean between here and Russia, and suggesting she come with them. ‘Nyet! The West is still my enemy, no matter what they say in Moscow!’ Zvezda replies, before, surprisingly, exclaiming that she and USAgent worked well together, and planting a kiss on a very surprised USAgent’s lips.
Before Johnny can do anything, Zvezda takes to the air, telling USAgent that, perhaps, they will meet again, under happier circumstances, or even as foes. ‘Until then - fare you well!’ she shouts as she flies away. The Avengers, all inside the Quinjet, take their leave too, as Demonica rapidly sinks beneath them, Clint tells Julia to put the “pedal to the metal” before they all get wet. ‘The ocean always reclaims it’s own, Clint - mankind would do well to remember that’ Julia replies, while down below, the highest point of Demonica - Demonicus’ citadel, finally sinks….


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Provide a full summary of the comic book.

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Many are Called
‘You’ve had it, Spider-Woman!’ exclaims Clint “Hawkeye” Barton, currently going by the alias Goliath as he engages his teammate and friend Julia “Spider-Woman” Carpenter in combat. Julia uses her agile form to kick the larger-than-average Clint in the face, before the handsome Avenger tells Julia that he is going to swat her like a fly. ‘Make up your mind, Goliath! Spider or fly - you can’t have it both ways!’ Julia exclaims, while Clint’s wife, Bobbi “Mockingbird” Morse-Barton watches on the sidelines.
‘Can’t I?’ shouts Clint as he swats Julia to the side. ‘That hurt!’ exclaims Julia as she kicks Goliath in the back, sending him careening into some of the ruined Compound nearby, claiming that she didn’t mean for that to happen. ‘Well it did!’ exclaims Clint as he rises from the rubble. ‘And what’s about to happen to you - I definitely do mean!’ he exclaims, while Spider-Woman mutters that she is fighting way out of her weight-class here, so she unleashes a psi-web, wrapping it around Clint’s legs to even the odds up a bit.
Clint struggles for a moment with the psionic webs, before managing to free himself, ‘Nice try!’ he tells Julia, remarking that she slowed him down for seconds, and points out that she has now run through her whole bag of tricks. ‘Here’s where I prove, once and for all, which of us is stronger!’ Goliath exclaims as he runs towards Spider-Woman, telling her that hiding behind that pile of debris is not going to help. ‘Who’s hiding?’ Julia asks, boasting that she just needs a place to stand so she can reach Clint’s glass chin for the knockout!
Spider-Woman succeeds in knocking Goliath to the ground, when suddenly, a voice from above shouts ‘Stop it!’ and blasts Clint in the face. ‘Who in the blazes?’ exclaims Clint from where he lies on the ground. Mockingbird motions upwards, while Spider-Woman exclaims ‘He did it!’. Clint gets up and stands by the women, while asking ‘What’s the big idea - butting in like that?’ he asks. ‘Somebody had to!’ exclaims James “Rhodey” Rhodes a.k.a. War Machine, the Avengers West Coast’s newest team member.
‘Says you!’ Clint exclaims crossly, explaining that he and Spider-Woman were just settling an argument over which of them is stronger. ‘Maybe we both got a little carried away, but that still doesn’t mean -’ Clint begins, until Rhodey interrupts, asking if he can get a word in. Landing on the ground, War Machine begins to blow away the debris, announcing that he will show them why he stopped the two of them from butting aheads on this pile of debris. ‘Okay, tin-top, so you make a good leaf-blower’ jokes Clint, when suddenly, shock spreads over his, Bobbi and Julia’s expressions as they see what - who - is under the debris.
‘We didn’t see!’ Mockingbird gasps. ’But I did!’ War Machine replies, motioning to Roberto, the Avengers West Compound’s gardener. Roberto groans, and Julia exclaims that he seems to be stunned as she rushes over to tend to him. Mockingbird smiles at War Machine and tells him that they owe him their thanks, to which Clint agrees, remarking that if he had charged into that pile of rubble, he might have crushed Roberto. Rhodey replies that it was just luck that he saw Roberto as he flew in, while Clint asks if they think Roberto has been lying there ever since what is left of the Compound was attacked by Klaw and Zvezda Dennista a few days ago, but Rhodey thinks that is unlikely.
Spider-Woman helps Roberto to his feet and asks him if he is all right, to which Roberto, clutching his head, replies that he thinks so, before revealing that it was not one of the Avengers enemies who did this to him - but the Living Lightning! ‘What?’ exclaims a shocked Julia.
(Shown with Flashback Illustrations)Roberto explains that he had just returned to the Compound from helping Consuela and Spider-Woman’s daughter, Rachel, settle in to Newport Beach when he heard a voice - very soft - from out by the pool, which he soon discovered was that of the Miguel “Living Lightning” Santos, a reserve member of the Avengers West Coast. Roberto continues, revealing that Miguel seemed to be staring into the sky, but there was nothing there - not even a cloud.
When he approached Miguel, the young Avenger mumbled that he had to go to the church, but seemed in a daze, as if he didn’t hear Roberto. However, when Roberto put his hand on Miguel’s shoulder, Miguel instantly transformed into his electrical form, knocking Roberto backwards.
(Present)Wiping his forehead, Roberto informs the Avengers West that he remembers nothing else, until they awakened him just now. Clint remarks that due to there being so much rubble lying around from recent fights, they didn’t notice anymore, and apologizes to Roberto. But Roberto replies that it is Miguel he is worried about, remarking that it is as if the Living Lightning was in a trance - or witnessing the Second Coming! ‘Maybe he was’ Spider-Woman suggests, before pointing out that they should contact the others and look into this further.
Goliath agrees, and informs everyone that USAgent is at a Beverly Hills pistol range, and jokes that since USAgent cannot out-point him on sheer strength, he supposes Agent wants to get as tough as nails with a gun as Clint himself is with a bow and arrow. Mockingbird tells everyone that the Scarlet Witch said she wanted to spend some time meditating at the apartment she keeps off Compound, and walks over to the car to call her on the car phone, only Bobbi gets no answer. ‘Maybe she’s really into this meditation bit’ Clint suggests, before telling his team that he and Bobbi will go see if Scarlet Witch is home, and asks Julia to go and talk to Miguel’s mother.
Spider-Woman gets into the flash red car and replies that perhaps Miguel’s mother can direct her to the church Miguel was talking about, while War Machine tells everyone that he will try and roust up USAgent, before taking the air. Julia drives off in the car, and Clint and Bobbi take off in the sky-cycles, with Clint telling everyone to rendezvous back here as soon as they have their quorum. ‘If we do, lover, call me superstitious if you want - but I’ve got a bad feeling about this!’ Mockingbird tells Goliath.
A short time later, Clint and Bobbi descend upon an apartment complex, to which Clint points out that it resembles the bungalows on the Compound. ‘It might - if half the roof were gone, and there were enough holes in the walls that the tenants didn’t need air conditioning!’ Mockingbird replies, before Clint asks his wife if she said Wanda lives on the second floor of this wing. Residents of the complex gather below and motion upwards at the heroes, while Mockingbird points to a window and tells Clint that she can see the Scarlet Witch in there now, and that she is in some kind of trance in the middle of a big pentagram.
Mockingbird notes that the Scarlet Witch’s eyes are open, but it appears she has not heard the sky-cycles. Bobbi knocks on the window in an attempt to get a response, but that too fails to attract the attention of Wanda Maximoff a.k.a. the Scarlet Witch. Bobbi tells Clint to set his cycle on “hover” and exclaims that they have to go inside. As the husband and wife team climb through the window, Bobbi tells Clint that she doesn’t like this, adding that Wanda didn’t bat an eyebrow when they forced the window open.
‘We’ll be lucky if the other tenants don’t call the cops on us!’ Clint remarks, before calling out to his long-time friend, ‘Rise and shine - it’s daylight in the swamps!’ he exclaims. Suddenly, Wanda turns to them. ‘What are you doing here?’ she demands to know. Taken aback, Bobbi replies that they are sorry to intrude, but they had to make sure she was all right, explaining that the Living Lightning has gone missing, among other things. ‘You are okay, aren’t you?’ Clint asks.
‘I was - until you two burst in here!’ Wanda replies harshly, before exclaiming that she has never felt better, that she feels alive, transcendent. Wanda then reveals that, as far as Miguel is concerned, they should not worry about him, as she knows he is in good hands, before excusing herself, as she needs to get going. Wanda strides past her teammates, but not without Bobbi telling Clint to grab her. Clint does, and tells his friend that she is not going anywhere until she tells them what she meant by that comment. ‘Let go of me!’ Wanda snaps back, ‘I said LET GO!’ she shouts as she raises her hands and points at Clint.
Suddenly, Clint finds himself growing uncontrollably. Mockingbird exclaims that it is Wanda’s hex power, and urges her husband to concentrate on shrinking down, reversing his growth before he crushes her. ‘I cant!’ Clint replies as he begins to burst through the apartment block. ‘Look out, everybody!’ one of the residents down below exclaims, while another mutters ‘I knew this would happen when this place went public!’.
‘Goodbye, Avengers!’ the Scarlet Witch exclaims as she makes her way outside, ‘You will not see me again!’ she declares, while Clint continues to grow, mumbling that he feels like the outtakes from Alice in Wonderland as he asks his wife if she can manage to squeeze past him. ‘If I don’t - our love life is definitely gonna be flat!’ Bobbi replies.
Outside, the apartment’s Super approaches Wanda, telling her to wait a minute as he demands an explanation. ‘What I have just learned, you could never comprehend’ Wanda replies cryptically. ‘What I could tell you - you could not understand’. But the angry Super tells Wanda not to feed him that mumbo jumbo that new age types like her dish out, and informs her that he is taking her to court. ‘What’ve you got to say to that?’ he asks. ‘Oh go soak your head!’ Wanda replies, and raising her hand, casts a hex which sends the Super tumbling into the swimming pool.
At that moment, Bobbi flies by Clint on a sky-cycle, and Clint tells his wife that he is glad she got out. He exclaims that it is getting to be a real tight fit in here, before informing Bobbi that he is going to try shrinking down one last time. But Barbara tells her husband that she isn’t sure that is a good idea. ‘Nuts! I might as well - what can it hurt?’ asks Clint, only to grow even bigger, bursting out of the top of the apartment complex. Bobbi manages to evade falling debris as she remarks that she was afraid of this, explaining that Wanda has put some kind of reverse hex on him, so when Clint tries to shrink, he just grows even more.
Clint remarks that Tony Stark - or the U.N - or somebody better have really deep pockets for this one, as he and Bobbi regroup, Mockingbird then motions to Wanda, still entranced, she walks along the middle of the road. Clint motions to the approaching car and exclaims that it cannot stop, that it will run right into Wanda. But suddenly, Wanda vanishes as portal opens up midair and swallows her. ‘Clint, watch out!’ Mockingbird exclaims, but it’s too late as the car smashes into Clint’s lower leg. ‘Oh, yeah. The car’ Clint mumbles.
Bobbi points out that at least the diver wasn’t hurt, ‘The heck I wasn’t!’ exclaims the driver as he steps out onto the road, complaining that he probably has ten kinds of whiplash. ‘Uh, you guys are Avengers, aren’t you?’ he asks. ‘Yeah - those of us that are left’ Goliath replies, before remarking that Wanda was acting just like Roberto said Miguel was, and asks Mockingbird what she thinks is going on around here. ‘Whatever it is, we’re not going to figure it out standing around here’ Bobbi replies, before wondering how War Machine is doing with everybody’s favourite right-wing sociopath….
‘USAgent!’ exclaims a pistol training supervisor in Beverly Hills as he tries to get USAgent’s attention. The supervisor turns to War Machine, and addressing him as Iron Man, remarks that USAgent has been standing still for twenty minutes. War Machine replies that he is not actually Iron Man, ‘Whatever’ the supervisor mutters, before explaining that USAgent was examining the target when he suddenly froze up like that. ‘He’s disturbing the other shooters - and I want him out!’ the supervisor declares, ‘adding that he doesn’t care if USAgent is an Avenger or not.
Suddenly, Johnny “USAgent” Walker swings around ‘I’m holding a gun!’ he exclaims, pointing it at the supervisor’s head. ‘That you are, sir…please don’t…’ mumbles the startled supervisor, when suddenly, ‘She does not like guns!’ Walker exclaims as he crunches the pistol up with his super strength. ‘”She”?’ asks Rhodey, asking Johnny to tell him what is going on here. ’It’s none of your affair. I must go now’ Walker replies as he begins to take his leave, while the relieved supervisor thinks to himself that, in his next life, he wants to come back as a crossing guard.
War Machine raises a hand and tells USAgent that he is obviously not himself, so he cannot go anywhere until the two of them have a little talk. But suddenly, USAgent swings around and shoves War Machine into the wall, ‘The time for talk is OVER!’ Walker shouts, before using his shield to smash an exit for himself and he strides away. War Machine tells the supervisor to get out of his way as he tries to follow Walker, but the supervisor points out that the wall is going to collapse.
Rhodey realizes that the supervisor is correct, and as he steps into the makeshift exit Walker created, he holds it up while ordering the supervisor to get everyone out, and quickly, while he keeps it from falling until everyone is clear. But Rhodey knows that, Walker could be anywhere by now, and realizes that whatever happened to the Living Lightning has also happened to USAgent, but not to him or several other Avengers West, and wonders what the common denominator is here.
Elsewhere, Spider-Woman drives towards a church, thinking to herself that Mrs. Santos was working, but that a neighbour said this is the family church. But Julia realizes that it doesn’t necessarily mean it was the one Roberto heard Miguel refer to. ‘But I’ve got to start somewhere’ Julia tells herself as she enters the church, calling out to the priest, she introduces herself, and is about to explain who she is looking for, when the priest exclaims ‘Miguel Santos, yes?’. Julia asks if Miguel is here then, and the priest motions to the altar, where Miguel is kneeling, and informs Julia that he has been silently praying like that, without moving, for over an hour.
The priest tells Spider-Woman that he never wishes to disturb anyone in the middle of worship, but offers to if Spider-Woman thinks it is best. Julia replies that she will handle this, if he doesn’t mind, and the priest comes along with her, just as Miguel rises, and approaches them. ‘Talk about timing!’ Julia thinks to herself, before asking Miguel if he is all right, informing him that they have all been very worried about him. ‘She said - that the fire that is within me can expel the darkness!’ Miguel exclaims as he bursts into his lightning form, knocking Spider-Woman and the priest aside.
‘I must go to her - NOW!’ exclaims Miguel as he bursts through a colored-glass window. Spider-Woman calls after her young teammate, asking him to come back - but he doesn’t hear her. Leaping after him, Julia knows that if she grabs him it will be like shaking hands with a light socket, so uses one of her psi-webs to lasso him, hoping that, as they are formed purely by her thoughts, they will not conduct any electricity back her way.
‘Let me go!’ Miguel exclaims, snared by the psi-web, before using his powers on the webs, disrupting them. Julia begins hurling more of them at him, faster than Miguel can zap them. One gets tangled around his leg and Miguel is unable to free himself from it. Julia forces the psi-web upwards, while recalling that some scientists say thoughts are forms of electricity, so wonders if she accidentally hit the right wave-length.
Spider-Woman begins pulling on the psi-web and thus reeling the Living Lightning in. Although she is relieved, Miguel suddenly returns to his human form and smacks into the ground on freefall. Worried that he could be seriously hurt, Spider-Woman calls out to him urgently, ‘If I’ve hurt you…’ she utters, when suddenly, Miguel quietly utters ‘You stupid woman…did you think she would let you hurt me?’ he asks as he blasts Spider-Woman with some energies.
Miguel then returns to his electrical form as he takes to the air, exclaiming that he is going to join her. The priest calls out to Miguel, asking him to come back, before he tends to Julia, ‘May God forgive you, my son, for what you have done this day!’ the priest exclaims. But Julia tells the priest that she is not bothered by that, explaining that she is more worried about what Miguel is going to do.
As Goliath, Mockingbird and War Machine land, the priest nervously asks Spider-Woman if these are friends of hers. War Machine announces that they witnessed the tail end of what happened, but that they could not catch the Living Lightning before he disappeared into some kind of space warp. Clint adds that whatever is going on has now claimed three Avengers, as far as they know, while Mockingbird asks Julia if she is all right.
‘Just had a little too much shock therapy’ Spider-Woman replies, before pointing out that it is a good thing the spider-serum gave her recuperative powers though, otherwise she’d be a basket case, before asking if she heard something about three Avengers. Bobbi replies that Wanda is gone - same symptoms as Miguel, and same escape route too. ‘Ditto for USAgent’ exclaims War Machine, before asking if either Miguel or Wanda mentioned anything a mysterious “She”.
Mockingbird replies that Wanda didn’t, but seemed to know about Miguel’s condition, when suddenly, a call comes in over the sky-cycle from the Vision, calling from Avengers Mansion in New York. ‘There’s trouble - we never hear from those guys unless they want something!’ Mockingbird remarks as she approaches the sky-cycle, where the Vision states that he prefers to ignore that insult, before declaring that he must know if any Avengers West are unaccounted for, revealing that several super heroes elsewhere in the world have vanished.
War Machine informs the Vision that the count here so far is three, and tells him which Avengers are missing, emphasizing the Scarlet Witch, to which Julia whispers that there was no need for that, as Wanda means nothing to the Vision now. The Vision tells the Avengers West that they need to send a representative to Four Freedoms Plaza right away, to which Julia replies that they are on their way.
Soon, at the Palos Verdes Compound, home of the Avengers West, a secret hangar bay opens in the side of the cliff which leads down to the beach, and a Quinjet streaks forward from it, driven by Spider-Woman, who thinks that she hates leaving Rachel with nothing more than a hurried phone message, she knows she cannot beg off duty just because she is a single mother. Julia decides that by remaining an Avenger, she has definitely opted for what is called the “fast track”, before reminding herself that she has always felt a special closeness to the Living Lightning, most probably because they both joined the team at the end of the Avengers West’s first run in with the Pacific Overlords.
Julia realizes though that there is a whole lot more at stake though than just Miguel’s life - and Wanda’s and Walker’s too. She remarks that if what the Vision said is true - and he never lies - then the whole planet may be in danger. ‘And if trying to help save the Earth isn’t a super-powered mother’s first priority - I don’t know what is!’.
Shortly, in a nearby shopping center, Goliath and Mockingbird sit in a coffee shop, and noticing the stares that they get, Clint wonders if perhaps they should have switched to their civilian clothing first, as he is getting tired of being stared at. ‘Since when?’ asks Bobbi, reminding Clint that he became a carnival showman at the age of eight. ‘Let ‘em gawk!’ she declares, before telling her husband that he was right, that they needed a little while to themselves off the Compound.
Mockingbird points out that if War Machine turns up anything relevant on the computer files that he is checking back at the Compound, then he can contact them in a second. Goliath replies that he knows, and exclaims that this is what they needed all right, a little peace and quiet. Suddenly though, there is a huge crash as the window shatters. Bobbi tells Clint to jump away from the window.
A group of men appear at the broken window and Bobbi exclaims that they must be the ones who busted the glass, before noticing that they appear strange, and speak in a unusual language. Kneeled over on the ground, Clint replies that he is just catching his breath, to which Bobbi tells him she hopes he catches it fast, as the costumed men enter the coffee shop, Bobbi announces that Earth has just got a visit from Quantum’s Power Platoon!