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New World Disorder – Chapter 1: End of the Line
The heart of Manhattan, Apocalypse's Ship, where Alex “Havok” Summers stands before a cell holding the captive Janet Van Dyne a.k.a. The Wasp. Havok remarks that Janet was the only thing that kept him going back on Planet X, the only thing that kept him sane, adding that she saved his life, their daughter's life, countless times, putting herself at risk without a second thought. The Wasp is strapped into a restraint, and Havok turns to his brother, Scott “Cyclops” Summers and asks if there is no way to spare just one human from the Gene Bomb. 'It's not how it works, Alex' Scott replies. 'Could you do it? Could you allow your wife to die?' Alex asks. Scott announces that for the future of their people, for this war to end then yes, he could. 'But the real question – can you?' Cyclops asks, turning to his brother.
Havok glances sideways, when suddenly, there is a BAMF and Kurt “Nightcrawler” Wagner teleports in front of the men. 'Rogers has amassed his army -' Nightcrawler announces urgently. 'Who could he have found to attempt such a hopeless assault?' Alex asks. 'Come – you'll have to see it with your own eyes!' Kurt replies as he grabs them and teleports away.
Outside, a group of villains has been gathered to counter the X-Men. 'All right, ya mugs – AVENGERS ASSEMBLE!' Absorbing Man shouts as he swings his ball and chain overhead. Loki rushes alongside him, while Mystique, Carnage, the Enchantress, Sabretooth, Hobgoblin and Jack O'Lantern leap into the air. 'X-Men – come out and play!' Carnage sings, to which Jack O'Lantern tells him that his reference is tired.
On the side of the mutants, Angel, Sunfire, Storm, Colossus, Kitty Pryde, Rogue and Iceman move in for the attack, shortly joined by Nightcrawler and the Summers Brothers when they teleport in. 'Was hopin' to have one more chance to crush human skulls with my hands!' Rogue declares before striking the Enchantress in the face. Colossus and Sabretooth go against each other, while Storm confronts Jack O'Lantern, Carnage leaps towards Iceman, Mystique rushes towards Cyclops and Loki's sword clashes with Nightcrawler's.
Inside Ship, Apocalypse – formerly the mutant child Genesis – stands before the Gene Bomb and declares that their lives are spent in a vain attempt to cohabitate with the humans, lives spent afraid, lives spent hiding. 'Today it ends' he tells himself. Up on a beam looking down on Apocalypse, Deadpool is perched, alongside Spider-Man. 'The green park where once we danced has grown thorns and dead brush of bummer frequencies. Our harmony now blanketed in the distortion of bad vibes. Two armies met on the road to Nowheresville. Hunks and foxy mamas all willing to lay down what the good universe gave 'em – locked in a domination groove. X-Folks gone crazy, man. Incapable of seeing the needs of others as equal to their own. They've turned their backs on nature's solution. Free love – a drum circle – but our brothers and sisters would rather fight it out than hug it up' Wade “Deadpool” Wilson prattles, to which Peter “Spider-Man” Parker tells him that he has to shut up, and remarks that he doesn't think Apocalypse is leaving. 'No, I think this more falls under “activating a bomb”, my groovy sidekick!' Deadpool declares. 'I'm not your... ugh, it doesn't matter' Spider-Man mutters, pointing out that this is a problem, and the point of the diversion was to get him to go outside – there is no way the two of them can take down Apocalypse.
'Aw, sure there is, Negative Nancy. We just need to teach him to strive for less “Age of Apocalypse” and more “Age of Aquarius”!' Deadpool replies as he leaps off the beam, dropping towards Apocalypse and striking him in the head. 'IDIOT!' Apocalypse snaps as he turns around and sees Deadpool standing nearby. 'The wise scholar Peter Marshall once asked: if you're going to make a parachute jump, you should be at least how high?'
Apocalypse responds by firing a blast of energy from his eyes at Deadpool, who leaps into the air, dodging the blast, which strikes some equipment, destroying it. 'Three days of steady drinking should do it. By the great Peter Marshall's logic, you just need a drink to unwind, sweet spirit!' Deadpool mumbles.
Each time he leaps, Apocalypse strikes out with another blast, but each time he misses Deadpool. 'Let's hop in my VW van, trek on up to Sedona, buy some aura crystals – gotta get your chakra in line, turkey!' Deadpool continues. He dodges another blast and exclaims that they will get a full body rubdown, soak up the hot springs, hit the mud baths and get in touch with themselves. 'I am in touch with myself, fool – and now I am in touch with you!' Apocalypse booms as he extends one of his arms, and grabs Deadpool, slamming his face into a wall. 'So – raincheck on the mud bath?' Deadpool asks, his nose bleeding as he starts to get to his feet.
Deadpool tells Apocalypse that Sedona is a delight at this time of year, and that he could meet his friend, Creepy Carl Moon Drummer. 'He'll get you in a beat circle at a level you're comfortable with -' but Apocalypse notices Spider-Man at the Gene Bomb, tinkering with the control panels. 'C'mon, c'mon, what language is this bomb's code written in?' Spider-Man asks quietly, before leaping out of the way as Apocalypse fires a blast of energy towards Spider-Man, striking the Gene Bomb instead.
Deadpool uses this chance to leap onto Apocalypse's back as Apocalypse announces that historians will see what they have done this day as an unavoidable strike to defend the evolution of mankind. He adds that they will remember the X-Men as the heroes who ended the war and preserved the evolution of mankind. 'Yip-yap blah-blah-blah! You gotta quit rationalizing the negativity, sweet Francis Longhorn!' Deadpool exclaims, interrupting Apocalypse, who thrashes about trying to shake Deadpool off of his back. 'We get it – everyone gets it – Apocalypse likey evolution. Point well made. Now giddy up, li'l darling, gotta run off some of that bad energy!' Deadpool exclaims.
Apocalypse lumbers towards Spider-Man, as Deadpool calls out 'Lookout, sidekick! This guy's unconstructiveness is out-of-control!' Spider-Man turns to see Apocalypse and Deadpool looming towards him, 'Of, son of a -' Spider-Man utters, before he is knocked out of the wall, followed by Apocalypse and Deadpool. 'You cannot fight evolution!' Apocalypse shouts as they plummet towards the ground, past the X-Men and the villains they are fighting, such as Rogue who battles Carnage mid-air, and Hobgoblin who throws a pumpkin bomb towards Sunfire. They land, and Spider-Man tells Apocalypse that, scientifically speaking, that is not entirely true, and that not all evolution is an improvement. Spider-Man ducks as Apocalyse lunges towards him, and adds 'The assumption that by being mutated you're naturally superior – is a tad arrogant'. Spider-Man then kicks Apocalypse in the face, knocking him backwards. 'And Wade?' Spider-Man asks, landing on a cab. 'Yes?' Deadpool replies. 'I'm not your sidekick' Spider-Man exclaims. 'That's your ego talking, man. Gotta get that monster under control!' Deadpool suggests.
Suddenly, Nightcrawler teleports behind them and wraps his tail around Spider-Man's neck, telling him that he should be more respectful to his idiot colleagues – a matter of professional courtesy. Nightcrawler teleports Spider-Man into an alleyway nearby, and puts the tip of his sword to Spider-Man's neck, 'But I suppose this lesson is wasted on your kind' he adds. Suddenly, 'Nah, man, we get it – an' ol' papa Carnage's got nothing but respect for his fellow web-slinger!' Carnage declares as he swings down and kicks Nightcrawler away from Spider-Man. 'Can't... quite... make mouth say “thank you”, Carnage' Spider-Man calls out as his longtime enemy swings away, telling Spider-Man that it is not necessary. 'Being magnanimous... confusing me more...' Spider-Man utters.
Nearby, Jack O'Lantern and Sabretooth move towards Havok and Cyclops. Sabretooth tells Cyclops that Wolverine was right about him, that it seems no matter what is going on, there is always a Summers brother messing up the works for everyone else. Havok turns around to see Sabretooth looming over him, 'A fightened little branch – bending whichever way the wind blows!' Sabretooth exclaims as he seemingly slices Havok's arm. 'You think you know us, Creed? Know what we're truly capable of?' Cyclops asks. 'Every time you've ever faced the X-Men, we've shown mercy. But that's over -' Havok announces, as Storm appears and casts a powerful lightning bolt which strikes Sabretooth down. 'We're done holding back' Storm declares. Jack O'Lantern swoops down and picks the motionless Sabreooth up, telling him gthat there is no dying as this fight isn't over yet. Sunfire blasts some energy towards Carnage, while Colossus is confronted by the Absorbing Man, as Deadpool stands amongst the battle and sings 'C'mon, people now! Smile on your brothers! Everybody get together, try and love one another... right now' his voice grows suddenly quiet as Apocalypse looms over him and raises a fist: 'Love is a lie' he declares, bringing his fist down, he slams Deadpool's head into the concrete, 'A tool used to control the weak... hate is the truth of the world'.

Meanwhile, in Latveria, Wanda Maximoff a.k.a. The Scarlet Witch hovers in the air over her father Magneto, her brother Pietro a.k.a Quicksilver and the monarch of Latveria, Dr Doom. 'Why am I not surprised? Even after what this monster did to me, you – my own family – SIDE WITH DOOM!' Wanda screams, energy glowing around her, she informs her family that they will suffer Doom's fate with him. 'Wanda – listen to me – you're not listening straight!' Quicksilver calls out. Doom casts his own energies, and reminds the Scarlet Witch that he cannot undo his past, adding that he will not allow his nation to pay for his sins. His energy knocks the Scarlet Witch, while Magneto tells Quicksilver to go and create a vortex to deprive Wanda of oxygen – knocking her out is their only hope. Wanda overhears this, however, and shouts 'Your only hope was to stay out of my way, “Father”!' She continues, narrowing her eyes, energy intensifying around her, she declares  that instead, Magneto has chosen tragedy, chosen to side with this trash who so abused his own daughter. 'YOU HAVE CHOSEN TO INCUR THE VENGEANCE OF THE QUEEN OF CHAOS!' Wanda screams.
Quicksilver calls out to Wanda, telling her that this isn't the only way. He adds that he will never leave her side, never stop fighting for her. But Wanda informs her brother that today he has shown whose side he is on. 'Allow me to repay you with a chaos curse on my bloodline!' Wanda declares. She starts to chant, her voice dark, 'Hear me now, Lords of Chaos. Find perch within the blood of my blood! Crush their bones! Boil their blood dry in their veins! Rupture their souls! END THE LINE -!' Spheres of energy glow around Wanda's hands, and beams of energy flow from the spheres – beams that reach out to Quicksilver, turn him upside down, as Wanda declares 'STRIKE MY FAMILY DOWN!' Quicksilver cries out in agony, and falls to the ground. 'Pietro -' Magneto exclaims, rushing over to his son, but Wanda instructs him to stand still, and asks 'What trickery is this? You – you should be ruined! By the dark gods – it's a lie! Your life, all of this – a lie! You were used! The great Magneto, a pawn in someone's game!' Wanda reveals, as Magneto stands motionless over Quicksilver. Wanda lowers herself in the air, and tells Magneto that he has no family, that he is truly alone. 'No...' Magneto utters. 'What sweet irony' Wanda adds, telling Magneto that he can't know how liberating it is to know there is no blood connection between them.
'And what of Pietro?' Magneto asks. 'He is your brother – look what you've done to him' Magneto tells Wanda, as Quicksilver remains motionless. 'No' Wanda replies, eyes glowing, she tells Magneto that it was he who pulled Quicksilver into this, pulled him into his Brotherhood of Evil, sought to send him down his same path of ruin. Wanda's eyes glow, as she tells Magneto that it was he who sent Quicksilver out to betray her, to manipulate her feelings. 'All you've ever done is bring suffering to his life!' she exclaims, casting forth firey strands of energy she declares that this is suffering she will now repay. The energy strikes Mangeto and seemingly burns him, as he screams in agony. Wanda turns to see Doom open a portal: 'What is this? Leaving your new friends so soon, coward? There is nowhere you can hide! Not after what you've done to my family!' Wanda declares. Before he disappears, Doom simply replies 'Who has done what to your “family”, Witch?' Energy ripples around Latveria, with Wanda telling Doom to run, to hide from his past, run from his sins, and while he hides – Latveria will burn!
San Francisco, at Stark Industries, where Sam Wilson a.k.a. The current Captain America lands atop the high-tech building where Tony “Iron Man” Stark is waiting for him. 'Okay, Stark, what's so damned important I had to come al the way to san Francisco?' Sam asks. Tony informs Sam that he thought he might be interested in some revenge against the X-types that trounced him. 'Revenge is like chicken soup for the soul' Tony adds. 'And, more importantly self-preservation' he remarks, before asking Sam if he has been watching the scene in Manhattan. Sam replies that he is staying the hell clear of it, for getting involved isn't in his best interests. 'And now these villains suddenly joining in – whole thing stinks of our ol' pal Steve Rogers. And If I'm Steve Rogers, I'm looking for the one man who can undo all of this' Tony declares. They enter a boardroom, where Thor, Medusa, Luke Cage and Hulk – in his other form Kluh, are gathered around the meeting room table. Iron man announces that Steve is looking to get his hands on the Red Skull in the hopes of liberating them from their newfound freedom. 'Explaining how you got the bank together' Sam comments as he looks at the others.
Kluh declares that he is not interested in letting the old man play his hand for him. Thor agrees, and reports that he will go along until Steve is out of their way. Medusa announces that the X-Men could pose continued trouble for her people, so believes they must go as well. 'So everyone agrees – we're better off with 'em all dead' Luke concludes.
Back in Manhattan, the Enchantress lies motionless on the ground, with Loki standing over her, using his sword to battle Nightcrawler, who teleports about, while Apocalypse holds Deadpool by his neck. Deadpool gasps for breath as he utters 'C'mon, Evan, you gotta be in there somewhere. Don't need a mood ring to know what you're doing is totally rotten'. Deadpool adds that this is the big neon distraction from what really matters – finding a way to be happy with the person you are. 'Are you through rambling, idiot? You attempt to appeal to a part of me that no longer exists. The boy's path  was always destined to lead to this!' Apocalypse roars. Apocalypse declares that Evan was a dream, a cocoon masking what grew within – the true spirit of En Sabah Nur! 'Dude! No one liked En Sabah Nur! But everyone loves Evan!' Deadpool replies. 'Evan's the hope that we can all be better' Deadpool adds, as Apocalypse brings him closer. The battle between the X-Men and the villains continues to rage, as Deadpool says 'That no matter where we come from, no matter how bad it was or what people expect us to be – nurture can beat nature'.
Apocalypse has listened to Deadpool, then shouts 'YOU DELUDE YOURSELF!' and tells Deadpool that he and his X-Force did not set out on any physical sojourn. 'YOU SLAUGHTERED MY HOST CHILD!' he roars, blasting energy from his eyes at Deadpool's face, who is only inches from Apocalypse. Deadpool is blasted across to a brick walll, where he collapses to the ground. 'You can kill me...that's up to you – but you'll regret it' Deadpool warns Apoclaypse, adding that someday that part of him will wake up and he will regret this entire angry mess. 'I always believed you could be better' Deadpool tells Apocalypse as he looms over him. 'Proving the world's impression of you -  A BRAINDEAD FOOL!' Apocalypse bellows, as he stands on Deadpool, crushing several bones. Apocalypse's fist then strikes Deadpool's face, and again, spurting blood everywhere. 'Do you see now? See how wrong you are?' Apocalypse shouts as he slams Deadpool to the ground again. 'YERAGHH!' Deadpool cries in pain, as Apocalypse violently thrashes Deadpool about, more blood is sprayed about. 'You believed I could be better... I am better. Better than you. Better than all humans. I am APOCALYPSE' the uber-mutant boasts, holding up the severed head of Deadpool, as Deadpool's bloodied body lies at Apocalypse's feet. The X-Men gather around, the defeated villains scattered about, and as Apocalypse declares that the end is nigh, the Gene Bomb clicks down – three... two... one...!


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New World Disorder – Chapter 2: Why They Sting
Inside Apocalypse's Ship, at the heart of Manhattan, Peter Parker a.k.a. Spider-Man is tapping away at the controls of the Gene Bomb. 'Come on, come on...c'mon, Peter – think. Celestial language... probably has a dozen tripwires... listen to your spider-sense – buzzing least when I look at this one' Peter thinks to himself, when suddenly, he steps back as there is a loud DREEEP noise and ACCESS DENIED flashes up on the panel. 'Don't need to speak Celestial to know red light means bad!' Spider-Man exclaims. Deciding that his brains have failed, it is time for brute force, he starts to tear at some wires, pulling hard, but they don't give. 'Tear out wires. Tear out wires until it doesn't blow up -' Spider-Man tells himself, when suddenly, a voice calls out 'Now, I ain't no scientition...but what I know about bombs, they don't respond well to force, Kemosabe'. It is Cletus Kasady a.k.a. Carnage, who oozes his way through a hole in Ship's wall, he makes his way over to Spider-Man, who asks his foe to help him. 'We'll web it up – smother the blast -' he begins, but Carnage replies that no amount of webbing is going to stop it. 'Only thing that might hold it back... is me' Carnage announces as his form oozes over the Gene Bomb, while Spider-Man points out that this will kill him. 'World's better off without me, can't argue that' Carnage replies.
The symbiotic form of Carnage spreads over the entire Gene Bomb until only his head pokes out – no body is distinguishable. 'No one in my family ever done anything for another person. Come from a long line of selfish dirtbags' Carnage reveals, adding that it probably goes back to Caveman Kasady, stealing pterodactyl eggs from the needy. As Spider-Man prepares to exit Ship, Carnage asks him to do one last thing for him. 'Anything' Spider-Man responds. Carnage tells him to build a giant memorial in his honor made out of gold and jewels and rhinestones, draped in the Confederate flag, right in the middle of bleeding heart liberal New York City. 'And I want it playing Skynyrd's “Free Bird” around the clock!' Carnage calls out. 'I...' Spider-Man begins. 'Promise' Carnage asks him. 'I promise, Cletus' Spider-Man replies, before turning as the Gene Bomb starts to detonate. Carnage sings: “And this bird you cannot change! Oh-oh-ohhh-oh! God help me, I can't -” before there is an explosion – contained within the walls of Ship, as Spider-Man swings to safety.
Down on street level, amongst the ruins stands Apocalypse, holding up the decapitated head of Deadpool. 'Was that it? Did the Gene Bomb go off?' Storm asks as she, Havok, Cyclops, Nightcrawler, Rogue and Colossus gather around. Apocalypse replies that it went off, but that something is wrong. 'What could have stopped it?' Colossus wonders. 'The worst person I ever knew doing the noblest thing I've ever seen!' Spider-Man exclaims as he swings down and lands on Storm's back, before bounding onto Colossus and kicking Cycops backwards. 'A man died stopping your bomb, X-Men -' Spider-Man begins, before Apocalypse grabs him by his neck and tells him to fear not, as he will soon join him, as he tosses Spider-Man into a wall, where he lands hard. 'You wish to wage war on us, cosmic demon – I enchanted Jarnbjorn for such a day!' Thor booms as he brings the powerful axe down on Apocalypse's shoulder, causing the uber-mutant to cry out in pain as blood is splashed about. 'You must have enjoyed her kiss to return for more' Thor points out. 'There is more to Apocalypse than his armor, Asgardian interloper!' Apocalypse retorts. 'Aye – a man who would have a bomb to do his fighting!' Thor declares.
'Avengers incoming, X-Men! Hold nothing back – kill them all!' Cyclops calls out as he fires an optic blast towards Luke Cage. Sam Wilson, the current Captain America, moves towards Cyclops, while Havok approaches Cage, Storm attacks Iron Man, Medusa and Nightcrawler tussle, and the Hulk, in his Kluh form, looms in the background. 'Funny, we were just saying the same thing' Sam calls out. Thor strikes Janbjorn against Apocalypse once more and warns him that his Celestial metal is his undoing. 'Jarnbjorn will crack that shell – and pry free the soft meat cowering within!' Thor boasts, as the axe slices into Apocalypse's right side. Nearby, Loki calls out to the Enchantress, telling her to wake, as Thor is killing them. 'We have to do something'. The Enchantress opens her eyes, 'Something incredibly heroic?' she asks, smirking. 'Will you help?' Loki asks her. The Enchantress tells him that she can do more than that, and kisses Loki on his lips. 'If I survive, can I have more?' Loki asks. 'If we survive, if we succeed in undoing this... I'll be back to my rotten old self' the Enchantress points out. 'Oddly... that makes me want it all the more' Loki responds.
Apocalypse falls to the ground, and cries out as Janrnbjorn strikes his shoulder again. 'Exhausted by your piety. Your ceaseless moaning. You imagine this world is your right. But now you see – nothing is yours without our say. And all I will give you is death -' Thor starts as he prepares to bring the axe down for another strike – but, suddenly, the Absorbing Man appears from behind and takes hold of the axe. 'Don't you worry, Lips McGruesome – the good guys're gonna save yer purple can!' Absorbing Man calls out to Apocalypse. He touches the enchanted axe and asks for forgiveness for being boastful, but that he hits harder when he is indignant. He punches Thor in the face, telling the Asgardian that absorbing the metal in his axe doesn't hurt, either. 'You forget yourself. Some misguided pity has stayed my hand from your execution in the past, mongrel – a mistake I will rectify!' Thor replies, as he smacks the Absorbing Man up into the air, where he crashes into a nearby skyscraper. 'Couldn't have said it better myself' Cyclops remarks as he unleashes an optic blast at close range, striking Thor, while Havok releases a surge of energy at Thor, striking him too. But Thor swings around, holds his axe overhead and tells Cyclops that he hopes his words were well chosen – because they will be his last.
Thor swings the axe, but strikes neither Havok or Cyclops, as Hobgoblin swoops down and picks them both up. 'I doubt it, man, I mean, these are the Summers Brothers – they never shut -' Hobgoblin calls out, before Thor throws something, which slams into the glider, causing the Hobgoblin and the Summers Brothers to the ground. Loki approaches Thor holding a sword, he tells his brother that he made quite a throw for a prideful fraud. 'A loutish braggart who can't lift the hammer that is his birthright'. Thor hands his head and tells his brother that he will die for his words. 'I can't lie. It's why they sting' Loki responds as his sword clangs against the axe. 'How it must vex you. Much as you do, Loki. Much as you will be remembered' Thor replies as he knocks his brother to the ground. The Enchantress appears overhead, 'Look at him, Thor! He is your brother – your blood! Look into your heart and you will see – you do love him' the Enchantress calls out. 'Loki is no blood of mine!' Thor responds, and calling the Enchantress a “fetid temptress”, tells her that the love she seeks to bring forth is quickly inverted to hate. 'Serving to increase my rage!' Thor shouts as he leaps towards Loki, axe at the ready. 'It's worked – now, go Loki!' the Enchantress exclaims. 'That's it, you oak...blindly chase the trickster...and let us see who is truly worthy' Loki utters as a portal opens, and Loki rushes through it. Thor follows him, 'Your screams shall be worthy of song – your death unending!' Thor shouts, as he finds himself on the other side of the portal – the moon. Thor hangs his head, 'You will suffer. Your bones delivered to the icy pit that bore them. I swear it, you bastard abomination – this time I kill you' Thor utters.
Meanwhile, at Avengers Mansion, Steve Rogers and his son, the new Nomad stare at several monitors depicting the battle between the Avengers and the X-Men. Nomad tells his father that nearly all of the Avengers are down. 'Those x-Men can't stop the axis for much longer...and even if they do – we can't stop them' Nomad points out. 'The stories you told me about this world, the endless insanity...' The elderly Steve Rogers replies 'No words can describe the terror of so many lives in the balance so often, son'. Nomad declares that he has to get out and help, but Steve tells his son that they are the only ones who can put together a backup plan if this fails. 'This isn't hopeless, there's always a way – we will find it' he assures his son. Suddenly, 'I think I might be able to help you with that' a voice calls out. Steve turns to see Edwin Jarvis approaching him. 'JARVIS!' Steve calls out to his old friend. 'My God, old man – I feared the worse' Steve tells Jarvis. 'As well you should, Captain Rogers. Our friends have quite lost their minds...but I think I know a way to set them back' Jarvis replies as they hug.
Back in Manhattan, 'Spit it out, runt! Where you hiding the Red Skull?' Rogue asks Kluh as she hovers in front of him. 'Tell me now and I give you the quick death, otherwise -' Rogue begins, but raising his fists towards her, Kluh interrupts her and shouts 'Kluh's gonna have some fun!' 'Only if bleeding is your idea of fun!' Rogue retorts, when suddenly, Medusa wraps her long hair around Rogue, and boasts that all of the whimpering mutant dogs will be transplanted by Inhuman superiority. 'Inhumans, mutants, gods – call yourselves what you want – I'll bug-stomp anyone in my way!' Kluh boasts, ready to bring his fists down on Rogue, until Apocalypse intervenes, 'The default human dictum in most regards. We will suffer your boots no more!' Apocalypse exclaims as he slams Kluh back into Medusa. Apocalypse turns to where he sees Charles Xavier trapped in rubble. 'Evan – listen to me!' Xavier calls out to the boy within Apocalypse. 'Xavier?' Apocalypse asks. 'See what you have done – the suffering! Your hate will doom us all!' Xavier exclaims. Xavier extends a hand, 'The cycle of death will never end! I beg you, please, put down your -' Charles pleads, but Apocalypse unleashes an energy beam, striking Xavier, freeing him from the rubble, but revealing his true guide – Mystique. 'You should know this' Apocalypse tells the shapeshifter.

Mystique tries to get to her feet, but Apocalypse looms over her. 'Skulking skin-shifter. Betrayer of our people. Servant of our oppressors. Feel the price of your treachery - ' Apocalypse threatens Mystique, but a voice declares 'Well, seeing as how she's such a pretty lady – why dontcha let me pick up the tab!' the Absorbing Man exclaims as he steps between Mystique and Apocalypse and smashes Apocalypse in the face with his massive ball and chain.
Meantime, Latveria, where Wanda Maximoff the Scarlet Witch has released a surge of hex energy, tearing through the village. Her brother, Pietro a.k.a. Quicksilver and Magneto lay on the ground, as Wanda hovers in the air. She tells Magneto that he can't imagine the joy she feels knowing he is nothing to her. 'The elation at repaying Doom's cruelty as I plunge his homeland into chaos -' Wanda adds, while Quicksilver calls out to her: 'I know the pain that lingers in your mind...nothing can undo what you've suffered in the past' Pietro calls out to Wanda as he clings to some rocks as the ground around him breaks up. 'If you fall to this evil – you'll never be free of it. There is good in the world. Better days await us – but you have to be stronger than the rage' Quicksilver declares. Magneto looks up at the Scarlet Witch and tells her that killing these people will not be some manipulation – it will be her choosing. 'This from a man whose life is dedicated to murderous vengeance! The man whose rage set this all in motion' Wanda replies. 'It will curse your soul' Quicksilver utters to his sister. 'I am cursed!' Wanda screams as she casts energy to the ground, striking Magneto and blasting he and Quicksilver into the air. They land on the shrinking ground, as the Scarlet Witch announces that the world will join in her pain.
'You have every right to your rage – but you will not be allowed to spread it. Take her, Daniel' a voice exclaims as a portal opens, and Wanda turns to see Dr Doom emerging from the portal, with Brother Voodoo, the speaker of those words, instructing his brother, Daniel Drumm, who appears in a spirit-like form, to fly directly at the Scarlet Witch. Wanda quickly raises a hex, as Daniel Drumm tells his brother 'Your deal with Doom is your own, my bnrother. I take no advantage in aiding these Avengers swine – though it is a pleasure to save reality from their stupidity' he boasts as he literally dives into the Scarlet Witch. 'There is no fighting my possession, Witch. I will not allow the world to burn for your hubris' Daniel Drumm announces. The Scarlet Witch starts clutching at her own body, 'Get out – RELEASE ME!' she screams. Magneto flies over to Doom and asks him what he has done. 'Made a Faustian pact with a demigod to resurect Doctor Voodoo and his brother, the only beings capable of possessing this rampaging sorceress' Doom replies. Voodoo tells Magneto to stave his anger, as his brother's possession will not harm her. He explains that Daniel is risking his very essence withstanding the madness within her. 'If I am to believe the horrors Doom conveyed – we will soon need her' Voodoo announces.
Back at Avengers Mansion, 'Dad, things aren't going well up here. That Hulk is back and he and Thor are taking down everyone' Nomad reports over an intercomm, as he and Jarvis observe the monitors. 'How much longer?' Steve replies from another location. 'A minute, maybe less' Jarvis reports. Steve tells them to stay put, and to keep him informed on what is happening, not to worry, as he will get this done. 'One way or another – I will liberate the Skull' Steve boasts, his aged form seen behind some armor.
The battle continues to rage, Spider-Man lands on Colossus and tells the Absorbing Man that he needs a hand. But as he holds off Kluh and Luke Cage, the Absorbing Man replies that both of his are busy. He slams his ball and chain into Kluh, while Iron Man and Storm go head-to-head, and Sam Wilson smacks Havok in the back. Kluh gets up and pushes the Absorbing Man to the ground, 'You're gonna need 'em while you're beggin' me ta die!' Kluh tells the Absorbing Man. Havok punches Sam Wilson and asks him if he feels any pride in the colors that he wears, or just pride at the elite few they actually serve? 'Rain-check on the pity party, Havok. I need your dance partner' Iron Man declares as he fires an energy beam at Havok and knocks him back, while informing Sam that he has picked up a communication and that Zola rat he calls a son. 'I don't think the X-Men have the Red Skull' Iron Man reveals. 'Who else could have taken the Skull?' Sam enquires. Iron Man explains that he doesn’t think the Skull was taken, but that he thinks that old fool Jarvis used one of his cloaking devices to hide the Skull from Sam. 'And unless I'm mistaken...Steve Rogers is en route to get him right now' Iron Man exclaims as he takes flight. Sam flies behind him, announcing that they should put that relic into the ground where he belongs.
'A man of metal takes to my skies – he must weather the unrelenting storm!' Storm declares as shhe fires a lighting blast, which strikes Iron Man, while Sam manages to block it with his shield. 'Cap – go!' Iron Man calls out to Sam, assuring him that he will hold off Storm. 'You kill Rogers' he instructs Sam, who flies off, leaving a frazzled Iron Man mid-air to combat Storm.
Sam Wilson arrives at an undisclosed location, 'Oh, you gotta be kidding me' he exclaims, as he looks down and a voice calls out 'There's too much at stake, Sam – I'm getting him out of here'. It is Steve Rogers, encased in a suit of armor, helping the bone-white Red Skull out of the shadows. Steve warns his old friend Sam to stand down – or he won't be able to guarantee his safety!


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Provide a full summary of the comic book.

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New World Disorder – Chapter 3: Grinding Halt
The past
A man in a business suit leans back against a wall, 'Whatever they're paying you, I'll double it! Please! I have a wife – children!' he exclaims. Sabretooth looms over the man, 'A widow and some orphans!' he snarls, as another voice calls out 'Always gotta pull the wings off before you work, Creed?' Sabretooth's clawed hand is wrapped around the man's face, as Wolverine stands nearby. 'It's how I'm paid to make it' Sabretooth replies. 'No' Wolverine tells him, revealing that he has been hunting him for weeks now, that Sabretooth has always been running, and that this isn't about money – but about blood. Wolverine assures Sabretooth that Xavier can help him, help fight the thing inside him that wakes up thirsty for blood, never goes to bed, never sated. 'There's a good man somewhere in there -' Wolverine begins, but Sabretooth interrupts him and tells Wolverine that he has it all wrong. 'There ain't nothing like that inside of me, runt' he declares as he shoves his claws through the man's head.
Now
Avengers Tower, the elderly Steve Rogers, encased in a suit of armor, raises a photon shield to protect himself from the current Captain America, Sam Wilson, Steve's longtime friend and battle-partner, who flies towards him, while Steve protects the Red Skulls – whose face is now bone white. 'Drop the Nazi or I'll kill you, old man!' Sam shouts, while Steve thinks that  his allies have all gone mad. His photon shield knocks Sam back, as he tells him 'You're too smart not to see what's going on here, Sam'. Steve recalls that Avengers, X-Men, Inhumans and anyone else who was on Genosha when the spell was cast has been tormented by the Inversion, which was echoed by the Skull's telepathy, hitting them all. Now, the hated monster whom he must save in hopes of reverting this madness. 'You know what's going on here?' Sam responds, extending his Falcon wings, he boasts that for the first time in his life, he is free. Sam pushes Steve back, and heads towards the Red Skull. 'Free of your regulations and expectations. Free to do what's best for me. I'm not going to let him take that away!' Sam exclaims.
Steve's old armor helps him, as he lunges at Sam, knocking him back – but he knows the armor is not enough, as it still relies on his strength, which he doesn't have any more. 'The two of you dying together – it's perfect, really' Sam snaps as he smacks Steve in the face. Sam stands over Steve, who has no Super-Soldier Serum any more, his reflexes are slow, nothing responds as it should. 'The two egotists who manipulated me into this life of lies – this life of empty sacrifice!' Sam exclaims, raising his shield, ready to bring it down on Steve, who knows that if he falters, Sam will kill him without hesitation. If he was actually there, that is. If he were dumb enough to engage Sam – but he's not, and as Sam brings his shield down, the projection of Steve Rogers disappears. 'What is this? Face me, you coward!' Sam shouts.
At the same time, making their way through a sewer tunnel, Steve asks the Red Skull how much time they have before Sam finds them. The Red Skull replies that there is only a few minutes, as he is still tranquilized, preventing him from using his telepathic powers to their fullest. 'Your partner is already free of my mnemonic fiction' the Red Skull reveals. He informs Steve that he cannot continue at this pace, as he is weary. 'You look terrible, Steve' the Red Skull remarks. 'Steve? The way you say that...kindness...' Steve replies. 'The horror I've caused...I'm sorry. I'm so sorry' the Red Skull claims. 'One thing at a time' Steve tells him, before announcing that the Avengers plan to kill the X-Men, he asks him if he can revert them, if he can fix this. 'I...I can broadcast a reversion, if we can recreate the circumstances of Onslaught's defeat, the chaos and order energies...' the Red Skull explains. 'Is that a yes?' Steve asks. 'I'll try, Steve... after all... it's not every day the Red Skull gets an opportunity to save the world' the Red Skull replies.
Manhattan:
Iron Man, the Hulk – in his form Kluh – and Luke Cage stand amongst desctruction, as fires rage and buildings lie demolished. Apocalypse, Cyclops, the Absorbing Man, the Enchantress, Colossus and Deadpool's head lay scattered at their feet. Iron Man instructs Luke to round up any stragglers. 'Gotta get out ducks in a row' he announces. Cage asks Stark if he wants to be a bit more specific. 'Just say it, Tin Man – murder 'em' Kluh exclaims, adding that he agreed to take out the undesirables, he doesn't have to sit for no pretty corporate speak. 'A smart businessman always finds a flowerly slogan for a despicable act' Iron Man remarks, before Sam Wilson returns, 'Tony, you were right!' he exclaims. 'Story of my life' Tony replies, before Sam reveals that Steve has the Red Skull and that he is going to revert them all. 'Fine. Let's go' Iron Man declares. He takes flight and remarks that no matter how many middlemen he employs, he always has to do everything himself.
Amidst the debris, Raven “Mystique” Darkholme reaches out to Sabretooth a.k.a. Victor Creed, who, calling Mystique a frail, tells her that hero business is not al it has cracked up to be. 'Watch who you're calling frail, Creed' Mystique warns him, as Creed pulls her onto a safer platform. 'Sorry. Old habits' Creed responds, before telling Raven that she did good out there, fighting for the angels. 'Showed Anna Marie her real stepmom. Awful damn proud to have been by your side' Sabretooth tells her. 'Sounds terribly fatalistic' Mystique replies, touching Sabretooth's face as he points out that Stark isn't going to leave any of them alive. 'I'm cooked – no fight left' he adds. Raven's mind wanders back, and she tells Creed that this is not too different from the first time they met. 'We nearly killed each other. Before we ravaged each other. You found strength for that fight' she reminds him. Creed seemingly smiles and reminds Mystique 'That scrap had a different payout' and points out that they fell into the black hole together because they needed someone to come down with them.
'Now the world's heroes are in that same dark place. The world can't survive without the X-Men or Avengers – go, Victor, help Rogers revert us' Mystique asks. 'That means...' Creed begins. 'We have to fall back into that black hole' Mystique utters. 'That's a hole you never shoulda crawled out of, mother – but one I'll gladly put you back in!' Rogue exclaims as she flies over and punches Sabretooth, knocking him backwards. Creed responds by lashing out with his claws, and strikes Rogue across her stomach, drawing blood. 'Run, Raven! Give me a hero moment before it's all gone!' Creed calls out. As Rogue slams Sabretooth's head into a wall, Mystique starts to run. But Rogue boasts that she isn't getting far. Seeing a large jagged spike, Rogue pulls Creed towards it, 'Gonna do just what you would – hunt her down – bring her back – and kill her in front of you' Rogue shouts as Creed's face is barely an inch from the spike. 'Holy guacamole – that's a spicy meatball!' Spider-Man calls out as he swings down and tangles Rogue in some webbing before she can skewer Sabretooth on the spike. 'Fool! What are you rambling about?' Rogue snaps. 'Sorry, it's been a long day...and I'm running out of quips' Spider-Man replies.
Inside Ship, Alex “Havok” Summers runs down a corridor, dragging Janet Van Dyne a.k.a. The Wasp with him. He tells her to hurry it up and get it together, as he needs her help. 'My help? You were going to kill me, Alex! Kill us!' the Wasp retorts. 'Never! I would never have allowed it!' Havok declares. 'Would I allow you to die?' he asks. 'To allow our daughter never to be born?' he adds. He remembers happier time, on Planet X, married to the Waps, and with their daughter. Havok explains to the Wasp that if they want Katie back, they have to stay together, and get Janet pregnant. 'I wouldn't risk that – I was going to rebuild Planet X for us' Havok exclaims, adding that he would rebuild the world where they were a happy family, and points out that right now, Steve Rogers is trying to stop that, trying to take it away – undo everything. Havok announces that they need to kill the Skull before it is undone, before they lose their future. The Wasp examines a strange red matter on the ground, and realizes that it is the remains of Carnage. 'You didn't stop the bomb...THEY DID!' the Wasp screams at Havok, firing a powerful “sting” of energy at close range, knocking Alex backwards. 'Stop – I'm sorry!' Havok calls out, but the Wasp shrinks down and flies away, calling back to Alex that he is a self-serving coward, and that he will pay for this. 'You'll die with the rest  of the mutants!'
Outside, Angel and Cyclops lie motionless amongst the rubble, as Apocalypse starts to rise. 'Lost...an end to the suffering of my people – gone. My X-Men overpowered...our future...our prosperity...all lost' he utters. Suddenly, 'Not if you flip the script, Evan' a voice calls out, addressing the boy, Evan, known as Genesis, within Apocalypse. 'Wade?' Apocalypse asks, looking over and seeing the head of Wade “Deadpool” Wilson lying on the ground. 'Time to rise and help the good guys/ If they kill Skull...it's all over. We're all stuck like this. Which is groovy for me, but you...' Deadpool's voice trails off. The head continues to speak, 'The thing that inversion brought out – that evil, the seed of him, always inside you – no so bueno. This ain't the real you, li'l buddy, you were raised by people who love you' Deadpool remembers playing baseball with Evan, and tells him that there were people that taught him different, taught him to overcome those bad genes. 'Anyone can deal with adversity – and being down – it's what you do when you have power that defines you'. Deadpool asks Evan if he knows who said that, and announces that it was Abe Lincoln. 'Ain't gonna ignore Honest Abe, are ya?' he asks.
Apocalypse lunges forward and picks the talking head up, 'There is no part of that sniveling infant Evan within me!' he booms. 'Baloney. The inversion flipped you, brought out evil genie Apocalypse' Deadpool explains. Apocalypse looks Deadpool in the eyes as the talking head tells Evan that he can fight, that he is in there, buried. 'C'mon, it's time to be super, Evan...it's time to save the day'. Apocalypse just stares back.
The moon, where Thor skulks about an abandoned facility and shouts 'You can't hide, brother!' He tells his brother that this ploy, whatever reason he has brought them here for, pretty game player, it will avail him not. 'And you'll not be so pretty when Jarnbjorn is done with you!' Thor warns his brother. Loki slides down some debris amongst the ruins of the facility, 'Okay, he's good and crazy. No problem getting Lord Loudington to chase me. Now for my great, idiotic embarassment...' Loki tells himself, before telling him to stop that talk, he must stay positive – all is on the line now. 'And not just for them – my one chance to escape fate, to escape my rotten future. No pressure' Loki adds. Suddenly, Thor tells him to run as fast as he can. 'But I am coming, you preening half-a-man!' Loki reminds himself that Steve Rogers made him an Avenger, so they are counting on him. 'If Thor goes back down there, it's going to be a bloodbath – he's your brother – he's your responsibility' Loki declares. 'DEATH IS COMING!' Thor calls out. 'Come now – where is that bravery you feigned before?' Thor asks, searching through the ruins, passing the area where Loki just ran through.
Loki comes to a halt – 'Sink or swim' he tells himself, as he sees Thor's discarded hammer, Mjolnir sticking up on the moonscape. 'Only those worthy can lift it – the truest of heroes' Loki reminds himself, deciding that he will die if he can't pick it up – literally and metaphorically. Loki's eyes look sad, as Thor calls out 'Mother and father will shed no tears at the passing of such a burdenstone bastard! Such a -' as Loki's mind wanders to the past:
The past
Odin stands at his throne, with Thor appearing before him, and Loki standing nearby, listening. '- grave disappointment. Loki has always been thus, regardless of his mother's doting' Odin tells Thor, unaware that Loki stands in the shadows. Odin adds that Thor's brother lacks the heart of nobility, and that it is likely he will never live up to his station. 'Regardless, it's up to you ro try and teach him, Thor... though I fear it is an impossible task' Odin adds.
Now
'Father. If there be gods that that gods may pray to...let me have truly changed' Loki utters as his hand reaches down to pick Mjolnir up. Skulking nearby, Thor calls out 'After I have killed you I will kill your friends! Anyone tainted by your love! I will ensure they know it was your failure that incurred my wrath!' Thor holds the axe, Jarnbjorn, and asks his “brother” if he finds thew truth so to his liking now? 'Here is the truth: I NEVER LOVED YOU!' Thor booms, adding that nor did their father, or mother. 'That is the truth. You are a burden – a grave disappointment to your family!' Thor shouts. Suddenly, Loki responds by saying 'How much more heartbroken they must be – at the chosen's failure to lift his own hammer!' Loki responds, as he appears before Thor, his costume changed, cape flowing behind him, as he slams Mjolnir into Thor, knocking the surprised mighty god backwards with a roaring noise.
Avengers Mansion, where The Red Skull leads the weary Steve Rogers into a control room, where Steve's son, Ian a.k.a. The new Nomad and Edwin Jarvis are observing the goings-on via monitors. Steve calls out to his son, and the Red Skull reports that Steve is weak, in need of medical attention. 'Dad!' Nomad gasps, while Jarvis looks at the Skull and remarks that he never thought he would be glad to see that face. Steve collapses and announces that his armor helps, but that he can't keep this up, for he is too damn old. 'I have Shmidt's memories. I know the type of opponent you are...the kind that always stands up' the Skull declares, and Steve looks him in the eyes, standing up, the Skull assists him. 'Almost there, soldier' the Skull encourages, adding that he can revert them all, but that they need to find Doom and Strange, for an inverted Scarlet Witch will not be interested in aiding them. Nomad reports that Dr Strange disappeared with the rest of the heroes. 'Then we must find them -' the Skull begins, but Nomad interrupts him, pointing out that they have bigger problems.
'SOMEONE SAY MY NAME?' Kluh roars as he bursts through the floor, knocking Steve Rogers and the Skull backwards as debris is blown into the control room. 'Barbaris monster! Your mind is no match for my telepathy even in a weakened -' the Skull begins, while Nomad attacks Kluh, Iron Man, Cage and Sam Wilson enter, and Iron Man fires a repulser blast at the Skull: 'Rain check on the mind games!' he exclaims, knocking the Skull back. The Wasp flies into the room, as Nomad continues to battle Kluh, Iron Man wraps his hands around the Skull's throat and asks 'You still in there, Xavier? Because I got something to tell you. Those Stark Sentinels – I'm rebuilding them for sale. To wipe out all the mutants forever – and after what your X-Men tried to do today – business will be booming!' he boasts. Jarvis helps Steve Rogers up, while Iron Man continues: 'You hear that, Charles? Stark Sentinels marching in the streets!' he exclaims, while the Skull is choked. 'Keeping humans safe from your mutated freaks and keeping me rich! That's your legacy, Professor!' Stark cruely exclaims.
'Dad! Stark's killing Skull! Get him – Go!' Nomad calls out, when suddenly, Kluh grabs him and slams him into a wall, 'Nah – better stay and watch, pops!' Kluh exclaims. Iron Man casts more energy at the Skull, while Kluh announces that he loves an audience. 'Get off of my son before I -' Steve Rogers calls out, holding his photon shield up, until Sam Wilson slams his own shiled inot Steve's face, 'Before what, old man?' he asks. 'Finally free of the garbage you filled my head with! FREE TO GET WHAT I'M OWED!' Sam shouts as he knocks Steve's helmet off, and starts punching the original Captain America's face, over and over, sending blood splattering over them both. 'It's not garbage, Sam...it's duty. I didn't teach you that – your father did...he died to stop people fighting' the very weak Steve manages to utter, causing Sam to stay his punch, and grit his teeth. He steps back and declares that his father gave his life for nothing by helping people who forgot him, he abandoned his family. 'He died for an ideal. The same one you're throwing away' Steve utters. 'HEY! I got a dream, old man! Fer you ta see what it looks like when I tear your son in half!' Kluh grins, holding Nomad overhead. 'I hate to be a buzzkill – but that's a terrible dream, brother!' Deadpool exclaims, strapped to a pouch on Apocalypse's side, as Apocalypse bursts into the control room, and slams Kluh to the ground, causing him to drop Nomad. 'Oh, son of a -' Iron Man utters, before Kluh falls into him, and the two are knocked into a wall, enabling the Skull to stand up.
'GO!' booms Apocalypse as he blasts the Wasp with optic beams. 'I'll hold them off!' Apocalypse announces, grabbing the approaching Sam Wilson, he tells the others to get the Skull out of here. 'Confused, but not about to look this gift horse in the mouth' Steve Rogers remarks as he and his son help the Skull away, with Jarvis at their side, reporting that the Quinjet is prepared. 'We should help that purple man!' the Skull calls out, referring to Apocalypse, he then announces that Iron Man's telepathic dampener is still in effect, and he needs a few minutes to recover. 'No. We're getting you out of here' Steve declares, adding that they can risk anything happening to the Skull. 'That's awful sweet' Luke Cage exclaims as he appears in front of the Quinjet – but before he can act, Sabretooth slashes his side, and Spider-Man swings down and shoots webbing in Cage's eyes. 'Sweet like Christmas? C'mon, Cage, they cued you perfectly for that one' Spider-Man declares. 'Gotta love the nick-of-the-time saves' Sabretooth remarks, to which Spider-Man jokes 'I always shoot for at least one per battle, but two? Home run'. Spider-Man then tells Creed to lay in, as they have to buy Steve a chance to escape. 'You can't afford it' Iron Man declares as the Quinjet starts to take off. 'And I can't afford you taking this from me!' Iron Man exclaims as he starts to fire at the Quinjet. 'HOLD ON!' Steve calls out at the controls of the Quinjet, before the jet falls to the ground, and bursts into flame.
Steve, Nomad and the Skull emerge from the wreckage as smoke and flames billow around them. 'Not another step!' Nomad calls out to Iron Man, who looms over them. Iron Man responds by grabbing Nomad and declares 'Kid – you're in no position to give orders' as he smashes Nomad's face into some flaming wreckage. 'As much as your family loves to do so' Iron Man remarks, while Steve stands to protect the Skull: 'Tony – please, listen...' Steve begins. 'Hmmm...no' Iron Man replies as he knocks Steve back. Iron Man declares that he is not going back, that he likes who he is. 'How unfortunate for you – that Doom does not. And your domination doesn't fit our purpose!' Dr Doom declares as he appears overhead, with Wanda Maximoff the Scarlet Witch, her brother Pietro a.k.a. Quicksilver, Magneto and Brother Voodoo. 'And our purpose is the good of mankind!' Magneto announces, before telling Stark that the world cannot survive his brilliance turned to evil. He uses his control over metal to place Iron Man in a tight grip that ever increases in fury. 'Stop! You're killing him, Erik!' the Skull calls out. Magneto turns to the Skull and replies that he sees no other option. 'It was this same line of thinking that led you to kill me!' the Skull reminds Magneto. 'Your choice of solution released Onslaught – caused all of this! Please. Stop now, old friend' the Skull pleads, oddly. But Magneto glances sideways: 'That voice!' he remarks.
Magneto narrows his eyes and releases Iron Man, who falls to the ground with a thud. 'Cast the damn spell' he mutters. 'There is no picking or choosing who will be affected – it's all or nothing' Doom adds, unaware that Havok is nearby, listening in the shadows. 'We'll be returned to the monsters we once were, Shmidt' Doom points out, to which the Skull replies that it is the sacrifice they must make. 'Perhaps we will become better men even without the Inversion' Doom suggests. 'We both know better than that' the Skull responds. Doom starts to cast some energy, and speaks to Daniel Drumm who is possessing the Scarlet Witch, telling her that once has casts order, he must use Wanda's memories to open the nexus of chaos. 'Do not condescend to me, Doom. I've already done it' Drumm responds, as the Scarlet Witch starts to cast her spell, too. The Skull unleashes his telepathy and declares that once bathed in the energies, he will broadcast the Inversion and undo the effects of the original spell. 'NO!' screams Havok as he rushes forward, shouting that he won't go back, that he couldn't survive knowing what he has done.
Havok unleashes a blast which knocks the Skull over. 'You won't have to!' Iron Man calls out to Havok, as he attacks Magneto. But Brother Voodoo intervenes, casting energies towards Iron Man, he tellls him to cease this insanity, or else he will cordon him within the Bile Pits of Ogoun. Sabretooth lunges at Havok and shoves his claws into his back, exclaiming 'If I'm willing to go back to being a savage beast, you gotta handle getting your boy scout bade back, Havok!' as his back is shredded, Havok screams in pain. 'Now! Before more arrive – cast the spell!' Brother Voodoo urges to Magneto and the Scarlet Witch. 'Goodbye, Von Doom' the Skull says to Dr Doom as the two of them and the Scarlet Witch are engulfed in the chaos and order energies. The trio are levitated into the air, with the two energies flowing from the Scarlet Witch and Dr Doom, projected outwards by the Skull's telepathy. 'NO! I won't go back! I won't!' Iron Man shouts as he, Sabretooth and Havok look up at the spectacular display of power before them. Suddenly, Iron Man reveals that he is prepared for this, and emits what appears to be a force field around himself, Havok and Sabretooth.
The Moon, energy crackles from Mjolnir as Loki holds the mighty hammer overhead, while Thor is on the ground before him. 'How does it feel, Thor? To be the one fallen? To be the failure defeated by the noble hero? How does it feel to know... I AM MORE WORTHY THAN YOU?' Loki demands, when, suddenly, the Inversion spell sweeps over them, and Mjolnir falls to the Moon ground. 'No...' a forlorn Loki utters, his costume reverted back to what he was wearing before he picked Mjolnir up. 'What trickery is this? Where – what have you done to me?' a confused Thor demands. 'I defeated you! I was then God of Thunder!' Loki claims. But Thor announces that he recalls no such thing. 'You remember – you must' Loki replies. 'Certainly it is another lie... from the prince of all liars' Thor suggests.
Back outside Avengers Mansion, flames and smoke rise from nearby buildings, while the Wasp goes over and helps Havok to his feet. 'Alex? My God – are you okay?' she asks him. Havok coughs in response, while Luke Cage assists Sabretooth, pulling him up, he asks 'Are you gonna make me put you in a hold?' But Creed tells Cage to pipe down, as he does not have a murderous thought in his head – or Cage would already be dead. 'And if Stark's shield left me all heroic-like...means Summers ain't Creed points out, while Brother Voodoo checks on the Scarlet Witch, who rubs her head. 'Alex? What are you doing?' the Wasp cries out, as Alex puts her in a headlock. 'Get back – GET THE HELL AWAY OR I'LL FRY HER HEAD OFF!' Alex shouts as he prepares to unleash his mutant power. 'Alex, whatever' going on – stop. For Katie's sake -' the Wasp begins, but Alex declares that Katie never existed – the same as their love. 'Now get back!' he warns the others, and instructs the Wasp to shrink them both down, get them out of here, or he will kill her. 'Don't test me, woman!' he warns the Wasp. 'Stop him' Brother Voodoo calls out to the Scarlet Witch, who casts hex, and Brother Voodoo releases energy from his staff, but Havok warns the others that if any of them follow, the Wasp will die.
'Quicksilver, go!' Brother Voodoo shouts, but as Quicksilver races forward, he announces that they are already gone. 'Find them! He can't be allowed to take Janet!' Steve calls out as he and Nomad rush over, but Brother Voodoo reports that he detects nothing, and suggests that they are already deep within the Microverse. Nomad turns to his father and tells 'I'm sorry I couldn't stop him, Dad', to which Steve tells his son that he just got them through a war, and he made him proud. 'Fools – this is not a time for congratulations. Or haven't you noticed? They're gone' Magneto narrows his eyes and announces that Stark, Doom and the Skull are gone. 'You let them escape' he declares.
One week later, a news announcer is in a studio as an image of the burning Manhattan is displayed behind her, with the caption “Mutant menace?” and the announcer states that after the attack of Apocalypse on Manhattan, recovery crews continue to sift and rebuild, but that city planners say it could take upwards of a month before the city is completely up and running, adding that reports from Avengers Tower indicate that all of the heroes have been freed from the ant farm where they were held prisoner since the attacks began. She continues, stating that little is known of the man who referred to himself as Apocalypse, the mutant who ordered all humans to vacate Manhattan under threat of execution. She adds that his army of mutants is well known as the X-Men, but that apparently that is not the entire story, as she has received the following video, made by a villainous gang referring to themselves as the Axis of Evil and recorded earlier before the now-famous battle of Manhattan. An image of Loki, the Enchantress, Jack O' Lantern, Hobgoblin, Carnage, Sabretooth and Mystique appears on the monitor behind the newsreader and Carnage's voice can be heard, and he remarks that usually, if people see his face, then their day is coming to an end, permanently, but if they are watching this video, it is because their bid to steal Manhattan has failed.

Carnage can be heard announcing 'See, it was our mischievous machinations what done manipulated yer “heroes”. Sweet Enchantress' trickery led the X-Men to joining Apocalypse. Idiots ain't got that kind of sense on their own. She drove the Avengers nuts to boot. We don't like the idea any of them ding-dongs getting credit for our work, see. We are the Axis of Evil. The world gonna quake where we tread. Maybe some of your hero-folks got lucky – maybe we been defeated – but know this – next time we won't be'. Carnage concludes by announcing that the X-Men and Avengers will pay for putting the kibosh on their plans, and soon, they will all bend to their knees.
'Why? Why would they have filmed this, Steve?' Sam Wilson asks as he and Nomad are in a room where Steve Rogers, arm in a sling and several bandages on his body, is recovering. 'If everything you said is true, why would they take credit for crimes they didn't commit?' Sam asks, as Nomad turns the television off. 'After everything that happened, someone had to' Steve replies. He adds that it was the villains' idea, that it is the only way the world will ever forgive and trust the Avengers and X-Men again. 'And they knew that' he adds. 'So...no one else will know?' Sam enquires. 'They made me promise to keep the truth a secret. That's the sort of sacrifice a hero makes...the kind no one knows about' Steve remarks.
Elsewhere, Sabretooth sits shackled in a cell, writing on a piece of paper that it is day one of this new stint, day one of wondering if maybe he got the short end – Inverted permanent. He writes that the sociopath cold was washed away by a strong sense of empathy, bad emotions welling up as memories flood – memories of the man he was – and the things he did – memories of murder, bodies twitching while he laughed, while he tried to feel something. As Tony Stark sits in his latest armor at Stark Industries, surrounded by many women, Sabretooth continues to write, recording that some of the others remain the same, but most were reverted – and the reverted can go back to being themselves, sink back into that comfortable old suit, into the grooves of familiar habit. 'And me. Where once I only wanted to share my pain with the world...now I got a strong desire to help others do away with theirs. The others back out there. Back to their scheming and heroing'. At the secret school, Havok approaches Cyclops, and the brothers embrace.
Elsewhere, Deadpool, his head once again on his body, runs down an alleyway with Evan, reverted to his young self, they avoid a police car and climb into the sewer. Sabretooth writes that it is the same dance, the same cycle, but finally one he sees the need for – as rotten people don't know they're rotten, they never do. The human mind can rationalize just about near anything as people are self-centered at their core – down deep, but it is hard to admit it. 'Easier to cook up a story you live in. One where you're the hero. One where it doesn't matter how you get what you want – so long as you get it. That's villany'. Loki raises a hammer somewhere, to a woman's fright, while in Latveria, Dr Doom sits on his throne, the Skull trapped in some sort of restraint before him, his face reverted to red. Sabretooth writes that this is the ugly thing that won't stop rising up in folks, that is what he was through and through, and that is why they need people who are strong enough to fight those self-serving urges – to stand tall and set an example – like the Scarlet Witch, Rogue, Sam Wilson, Brother Voodoo and Quicksilver, whoe have gathered together for a press conference, and Rogue announces that the Avengers Unity Squad will stand together. 'Bridging the gap between the Avengers and the X-Men to ensure nothing like this can ever happen again' the Scarlet Witch smiles.
Sabretooth continues to write, stating that there are folks inspired to live up to the example, which is how they really change the world, as in a lab, Peter Parker is sculpting the Carnage statue. 'Rhinestone sculpture...damn Parker luck...can't remember when following through on a promise was so hard' he tells himself. And, back in his cell, Sabretooth finishes off his writing, stating that they inspire the rest of us by showing it is possible to be better. 'But you knew that, Logan. You pulled yourself up on your own and grew into something better. Now it's my turn to see if I can find that spirit to overcome my past. The heart to push through the glaring eyes that only see the beast I was. You'll see, Logan. I'll do it. I'll find it. Spirit of a Wolverine'.


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Operation Galactic Storm part 5, Storm Gatherings
Long-time Avengers ally Rick Jones was kidnapped by the alien Shi’ar. The tomb of Captain Marvel was raided by the alien Kree. Intergalactic war is erupting between two mighty empires, and Earth’s mightiest heroes are in the thick of it!
Space, around Earth’s sun, where, moments ago, a space station called Starcore orbited, manned by scientists from Earth eager to illuminate the mysterious of the sun. But that was before a massive solar flare engulfed the unfortunate ship, destroying it utterly. For its inquisitive Terran crew, there is seemingly no hope. Or can there be in the silent sound of thundr and the flash of lightning here in the depths of space…salvation in the form of four of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes? ‘I did it! I really did it!’ Eric Masterton a.k.a. the new Thor exclaims as he holds his powerful Asgardian hammer overhead, and his teammates the ghostly Vision and the young Wendell “Quasar” Vaughn, along with the currently inactive Avenger, the sultry Sersi of the Eternals, arrive in deep space.
Eric tells his companions that he wasn’t sure he could make the leap from Earth, but that after Captain America told him the Starcore’s coordinates, all he had to do was concentrate ‘And…BAM! Mjolnir got us here! Fantastic!’ the excited Avenger exclaims. ‘Well, bully for you, Thunderer. But in case you haven’t noticed, we’re still a long way from accomplishing our mission’ Sersi points out, a deep-space breathing device on her face. Quasar wears one, also. The Vision states that Sersi is correct, and points out that they received Starcore’s distress call 12.6 minutes ago, indicating the crew was abandoning ship. Looking around, Vision remarks that there is no sign of the craft’s life pod in this vicinity, so it is conceivable that they did not succeed in escaping and perished.
‘You sure know how to bring down a good mood, Vizh’ the new Thor remarks, before turning to Quasar and asking him what his thoughts are. ‘I mean, you’re Guardian of the Galaxy’ Eric points out. ‘Protector of the Universe’ Quasar corrects his new teammate. ‘Whatever. Did they make it?’ Eric asks. Quasar explains that the Starcore crew knew that the flares were getting increasingly dangerous, that they were prepared. He puts his fingers to his head and tries to sense for any human life. ‘Bingo!’ he exclaims an instant later, before streaking off through space, telling his companions to follow him. They do so, although Sersi complains that someone ought to remind the Golden Boy Scout with the cosmic accessories, that they happen to be a team. ‘And somebody oughta remind you that you’re not God’s gift to superheroes, lady! Sheesh!’ the new Thor thinks to himself.
Meantime, on Earth, specifically, Avengers Mansion, New York, where in the communications room, Captain America a.k.a. Steve Rogers and Natasha Romanov a.k.a. the Black Widow are speaking with Clint “Hawkeye” Barton, of the Avengers West Coast, via communicator. Captain America reports that the latest flare was by far the largest, adding that they barely got Starcore’s message through the electromagnetic disturbance. Hawkeye asks Captain America how he figures the solar flares are tied in to what has been going on lately, but Cap replies that he isn’t sure that it is clear there is a connection. Captain America points out that Rick Jones’s dream indicated that there was a Kree presence on Earth again, which certainly was born out by their encounters with Captain Atlas and Dr Minerva.
Captain America adds that his battle with Warstar revealed the Shi’ar race is involved as well. He admits that the Avengers do not know a lot about the Shi’ar, but that Quasar witnessed a solar flare erupt when their star ship warped out of the solar system. Cap states that it would appear they are in the middle of some type of intergalactic power struggle between two alien super powers who don’t give a second thought to the damage they are doing to Earth’s sun. ‘So what else is new? Listen, the West Coast branch is just about ready to jet to New York for the big pow wow. See you in two hours’ Hawkeye replies, while the Black Widow informs Captain America that she called in all the reserves she could, and alerted Jarvis to be prepared for up to thirty guests. ‘And just the other day I was reminiscing about the good old days with a smaller team. Seems like I’m going to have to eat my words’ Captain America tells Natasha, who tells him to look at it this way: ‘At least this’ll keep you humble!’
Back in space, ‘Ladies and gentlemen, may I present the Starcore life pod?’ Quasar exclaims as he hovers beside the vessel. Sersi tells Quasar that they are impressed, and promises to call him the next time she loses a needle in a haystack, before pointing out that the question remains - is the crew all right? The Vision announces that he will ascertain that by passing through the pod’s hull and asking them directly. The Vision becomes intangible and does just that, where he finds the crew gathered together. ‘The Vision! Thank God somebody heard our distress beacon!’ one of the Starcore scientists declares. It is Dr Corbeau, who adds ‘We were beginning to think -’, he starts, but the Vision interrupts him, getting straight to the point, he asks what happened.
Dr Corbeau reveals that there was a flare so sudden and powerful that it couldn’t have been natural. ‘We had no time to engage our thrusters’ he explains. ‘Indeed’ the Vision replies, before asking Dr Corbeau if he has a hypothesis as to why the sun’s solar activity has become so volatile. ‘Er…Vision…I don’t think now’s the appropriate time to…’ Dr Corbeau begins, while the pod is suddenly tossed about. ‘What’s happening?’ another of the crew gasps. ‘Unknown’ the Vision replies, before phasing through the hull of the vessel once more, stating that he shall investigate. He returns to the other Avengers, and announces that the Starcore crew appears fundamentally well, if somewhat shaken. ‘But this disturbance -’ he begins. ‘We’re way ahead of you, Vizh. Something’s about to happen!’ Quasar exclaims. ‘Look!’ Sersi gasps. ‘Omigosh…what the heck is that?’ Eric asks as energies begin to swirl before them.
The Vision announces that they are witnessing the formation of a wormhole. ‘You know it, Vision! It’s the birth of a warp…a rip in the time / space continuum!’ Quasar announces as the hole continues to form. ‘Space / time continuum? I knew I shoulda stayed home’ Eric mumbles, while Sersi motions to where another warp has suddenly appeared in the distance - out of which soars a very large fleet of space ships. ‘It’s a freakin armada!’ Quasar exclaims. ‘Whoa!’ Eric gasps.
Inside one of the ships, a Shi’ar officer informs the Praetor that the first leap has been complete and that the fleet reports it is prepared to enter the second wormhole. ‘Very well, commander. Proceed’ the Praetor replies, as he stares out into space. The Praetor remarks that the Empress does not want any Shi’ar presence in the terrain solar system and longer than is absolutely necessary. Another officer calls out to the Praetor and the commander, revealing that the bio-scans have detected life forms. ‘On the screen now!’ the commander calls out, adding that it is true, the scan confirms it. ‘To think…humanoid life forms…out here!’ he adds, while pointing out that the Majestrix was correct in being concerned. ‘These Terrans are extraordinary…but they are witnesses nonetheless’.
The commander tells the lieutenant to engage and eliminate the humans, but the Praetor tells them to hold a moment, for despite it all, this is not the Shi’ar way. ‘Have we truly come to this? In order to preserve our way of life, we adopt the practices of our most bitter enemies?’, to which one of the others reminds the Praetor that this is war. ‘These beings are more than likely spies of the accursed Kree who would report on the fleet’s maneuvers to Hala itself!’ he adds. ‘Why else would living beings be here…so near to the wormhole site?’ he asks. The commander asks the Praetor if he can, in truth, spare these beings and run the risk of bringing disaster to the Majestrix and the empire. The Praetor tells the commander that his words are cold. ‘But then, so is war, is it not?’ he adds, before instructing the crew to carry out their orders. ‘And may the gods forgive decisions made in times such as these’.
Back on Earth, at Avengers Mansion, the Mighty Hercules, the Inhuman Crystal and Dane Whitman the Black Knight are on the rooftop of the Mansion. Hercules remarks that their West Coast compatriots are due to arrive at any moment, and that it is an honor to greet them. He adds that it will be a moment of epic importance when all who bear the name “Avenger” are gathered beneath one roof once more. ‘I’m quivering with excitement, Herc. Too bad we forgot to rent the brass band’ the Black Knight remarks, before asking Crystal if she is nervous. Crystal replies that she is, but about what she is not exactly sure. ‘Is it some menace from deep space that threatens us all I fear…or is it being reunited with my estranged husband’s sister? I wish I knew’. As the Quinjet begins to descend, Hercules waves his arms about to guide it, while Dane tells Crystal: ‘Hmmm…intergalactic war…or domestic squabble. It’s nice to know you can keep things in perspective’, before deciding that choosing between an angry Scarlet Witch and a space battle with little green men - he would chose the battle.
Suddenly, in space, ‘Hey! They’re firing at us!’ the new Thor exclaims as the fleet of Shi’ar vessels opens fire on the four heroes. ‘Hercules is right about you, Thunderer! You do have an inordinate fondness for stating the obvious’ Sersi remarks as she dodges a blast from one of the vessels. Quasar points out that things could get ugly real quick, and encases the Starcore escape pod in a quantum bubble, announcing that this is no place for Corbeau and his crew. With the life pod encased, Quasar uses the force of his quantum bands to propel the life pod out of harm’s way. ‘And then we’ll deal with these invaders!’ he exclaims. ‘You know it, Quasar. These jokers are trying to kill us for no good reason, I oughta -’ the new Thor begins, but Sersi tells him to watch out for a photon torpedo. ‘First rule of business my mortal friend…don’t let your sense of indignation get you killed. It’s so counter-productive’ Sersi exclaims as she flies forward and pushes Eric out of harm’s way.
‘Why, Sersi, I didn’t think you cared!’ the new Thor replies, before thanking her for saving him. Sersi tells him that he is welcome, and points out that he is raw, naïve and headstrong, but that she does think he has possibilities. Sersi then calls out to the Vision, telling him that she thinks she made their neophyte godling blush. ‘I will store that information in the proper data bank, Sersi’ the Vision replies, before suggesting that they now retaliate against the aggression. ‘You know it, boss!’ the new Thor exclaims, before tossing his hammer towards one of the vessels, where it slams into the force field surrounding the vessel, hard. ‘Praetor!’ one of the officers exclaims, announcing that the Terrans have unleashed some sort of incredible weapon. ‘Our shields are buckling!’ he adds as they are tossed about inside the ship.
There is another hit, and one of the officers tells the Praetor that this cannot be happening, as they are the best in the Majestrix’s fleet. ‘We are her pride and glory!’ he shouts. The Praetor tells his officer that today he experiences the bitter side of life, and that no matter how powerful you are, you will always meet someone stronger still, and pride and glory mean very little then. ‘I pray it is a lesson our empire is spared’ the Praetor adds, while, outside, Quasar and Sersi dowse the force field of the vessel with their energies, when suddenly, Quasar exclaims that they have breached the force field. ‘Of course. Still, they’re down…but not yet out, Quasar. Let us move in for the kill’ Sersi replies. ‘Kill -? You’re sounding a little bloodthirsty there. That’s not your style’ Wendell tells Sersi, who asks ‘Isn’t it? What do you really know of the mind of an Eternal?’, before asking Wendell if her attitude frightens him. ‘Better by far, it terrifies the creatures within that ship’ she declares.
Inside the vessel, the lieutenant calls out to the Praetor, announcing that life support is failing. ‘Where is the commander? Is he hiding from the consequences of his actions?’ the Praetor enquires, unaware that indeed the commander is hiding behind a wall, thinking to himself that his people‘s intelligence suggested the terrans they encountered out here might be the met humans who have stymied their race for so long. ‘Now they hinder you, Shi’ar. And to think…all because of my “dedication” to duty’ the commander thinks to himself, deciding that he has a bitter lesson for his Praetor - that things are not always what they seem. ‘No, reality is all smoke and mirrors…and who knows that better than Hobgoblin of your precious Majestrix Lilandra’s Imperial Guard?’ the shape-shifter tells himself as he returns to his default form.
There is an explosion, and an officer is knocked backwards. ‘By the M’Krann!’ the Praetor calls out, before telling his crew to pray to their ancestors, as their hull is breached and they will not see their homeworld again. ‘Are these terrans mad? Do these barbarians mean to -’ the lieutenant asks, before the ship’s computer announces that the integrity has been compromised, and that there is atmospheric decompression in the bridge section. The Shi’ar are sucked towards the gaping hole in the vessel, when suddenly, they fall to the floor, and the computer reports that the integrity has been restored, and the atmosphere has returned to normal. ‘Praetor, we were dead men! How -?’ the lieutenant enquires, while looking up, he sees Quasar, Vision, Sersi and the new Thor standing over them.
‘Simple. The Avengers giveth and the Avengers taketh away’ Quasar announces, using his quantum power to block the hole in the vessel. The Vision notes the officers as Shi’ar and introduces himself, while stating that the Shi’ar attacked their party unprovoked while they were engaged on a rescue mission. ‘Such acts, which violate the norm of civilized behavior, cannot go unpunished’ the Vision declares, while Quasar points out that they blasted a hole in the side of their ship, which he is not covering up for them. The Vision informs the Shi’ar that the Avengers intend to bring them to Earth to investigate recent events on planet Earth which suggest that the Shi’ar are infringing on their sovereignty and indeed, could be a threat to their very survival.
The Praetor introduces himself and tells the Avengers that they are innocent victims of a conflict between two great powers, for which he apologizes. ‘Your anger is justified, but no Praetor of the Shi’ar has ever allowed his ship to be taken’ the Praetor announces. Sersi shakes a fist at the Praetor, and angrily tells him that he will make history and be the first, ‘Or, by Zuras, I swear, we’ll destroy you and your ship!’ she warns him.
‘You WHAT? You threatened to kill them? Good Lord, the Avengers don’t operate that way, lady!’ an angry Captain America tells an equally angry Sersi, back at Avengers Mansion on Earth. They are gathered inside a meeting room, along with a myriad of other Avengers - East, West and inactive. Cap and Sersi stare each other down over the round meeting table, as Sersi suggests to Captain America that perhaps the Avengers should operate this way. ‘And with all of us here, both East and West…maybe we should vote on it!’ Sersi demands. She points out that they were in deep space, having only just survived an attack on not only the four of them, but the Starcore scientists they were entrusted to save. ‘Forgive us, won’t you, if we neglected Robert’s Rules of Conduct! But I hardly think the Shi’ar would have extended us the same courtesy!’ Sersi declares. The Vision and the new Thor stand on either side of Sersi, as the new Thor tells Cap that he knows he is the new kid on the block, but points out that they were fighting a fully-armed battleship. ‘It was just a bluff…wasn’t it?’ he utters.
Quasar tells Captain America that he is not entirely comfortable with what they did, but that Corbeau and his crew are not back home and they got some captives they can question out of the deal. ‘I saw we came out ahead’ Quasar remarks. ‘Then I ask you all…if the Shi’ar Praetor had not given up…would you have been prepared to carry out your threat?’ The room falls silent, as all the Avengers consider Captain America’s words. Along with Cap, the Vision, the new Thor, Quasar, Hercules, Crystal, the Black Widow and the Black Knight of the current East Coast roster, Hawkeye was accompanied by his teammates on the West Coast - Wanda Maximoff a.k.a. the Scarlet Witch and Julia “Spider-Woman” Carpenter, who stand near Hercules. Simon “Wonder Man” Williams, John Walker the USAgent, Tony “Iron Man” Stark, Miguel Santos the Living Lightning and their reserve member, Barbara Morse-Barton a.k.a. Mockingbird are scattered throughout the room.
Along with Sersi, other inactive Avengers present include Dr Hank Pym and Janet van Dyne a.k.a. the Wasp, Sam Wilson a.k.a. Falcon, Gilgamesh the Forgotten One, Starfox a.k.a. Eros, Jennifer Walters the She-Hulk, and Monica Rambeau a.k.a. Captain Marvel. Breaking the silence, USAgent smiles and exclaims ‘Dum-de-dum-dum! A heavy pause! I love it! Dissention in the ranks!’ while standing nearby is Hawkeye, who tells his least-favorite teammate to button it, as Cap knows what he is talking about. ‘Button it yourself, Barton! I got every right to talk’ USAgent replies, remarking that, after all, the Avengers are one big happy family. Hawkeye just scowls.
Holding up a small container, Dr Pym tells Cap that whatever the ethics of what happened, they now have several prisoners from the star vessel, as well as the Kree Dr Minerva and Captain Atlas, whom he has shrunk and placed in the container. Cap spins around to look at Hank, and declares ‘That makes me equally uncomfortable! It reminds me of our old friend, the Collector!’, but the Wasp tells Cap that he is not being fair, pointing out that Iron Man requested Hank reduce the aliens in size. ‘After all, what were we going to do with them?’ Jan asks. ‘What, indeed?’ Cap replies, before announcing that he is urging caution, as it is a slippery, muddy road once you begin making death threats and incarcerating people. ‘And I don’t want to see the Avengers…despite the best of intentions…get caught in the muck’ Cap declares.
The Black Widow remarks that debate is good and well, but that they should attend to the matter at hand. Cap tells Natasha that she is right, and apologizes to Hank Pym, admitting that he was way out of line. Hank tells his friend that it is okay, and that they are all under stress. ‘Now what are we going to do about the situation?’ Hank asks. Cap announces that what he is about to suggest might seem as quixotic as fighting windmills, because their combined abilities are next to nothing against powers as vast as the Kree and Shi’ar empires. ‘But somehow, we’ve got to convince these two ancient races to stop this war before it gets out of hand’ Cap adds. ‘But why?’ Mockingbird ass. ‘I mean, who are we to go around telling other people…or aliens…how to run their affairs?’ she enquires.
‘What, have you been out to lunch or something, Bobbi? There’s the little matter regarding our sun’ Hawkeye tells his ex-wife. Spider-Woman runs a hand through her long strawberry-blond hair, while the Vision states that Hawkeye is correct: ‘Both the Shi’ar and the Kree are using the sun as an energy source in order to activate a normally inert wormhole’ he explains. The Vision adds that the portal, once open, serves as a bridge between their respective galaxies, cutting the distance their space fleets must travel to a mere fraction. The Vision reports that use of the wormhole causes gravimetric havoc with the sun, destabilizing its nuclear cohesion. ‘If the Kree and Shi’ar are not stopped, the sun will nova. And life in this solar system will cease’.
‘That’s why Cap says we have to get involved’ Hawkeye tells Mockingbird, adding that he hopes the Kree doesn’t think they are too rude, butting into their business. Mockingbird frowns at Hawkeye and tells him to stop smirking, while adding ‘While we were married, I always thought it was your least becoming habit’. Captain America explains to the Avengers that he is not advocating intervention, but diplomacy. He adds that what they could glean from the X-Men, the Shi’ar seem to be a far less war-like race than the Kree, so they might be able to be reasoned with. ‘The Kree are another matter entirely, of course. But we’ve dealt with them before’ Cap points out.
Turning to Quasar, Captain America announces that utilizing Quasar’s warp powers, he proposes they send two teams as envoys to each of the empires involved, while the remaining third of Avengers stay on Earth to act as the rear guard. With three pieces of paper on the table before him, Captain America claims that he, Iron Man and the Black Widow have gone to great lengths of deciding the membership of each envoy. ‘Experience, power level, scientific background, and adaptability to the rigors of space all came under consideration’ he explains. He points out that this is a tough mission, so if anyone wants to back out they can do so, with no questions asked.
Cap begins to read the teams out, starting with the team assigned to the Kree empire, which will consist of himself, USAgent, Iron Man, Crystal, Hercules, the Black Knight and Sersi. ‘Ariiiight!’ USAgent exclaims, while Sersi tells Captain America that she hopes her actions cause him no further embarrassment. ‘That makes two of us, Sersi’ Captain America replies, before announcing the team that will travel to the Shi’ar Imperium, consisting of the new Thor, Wonder Man, the Vision, the Scarlet Witch, Captain Marvel, Starfox and Living Lightning. ‘Me?’ the new Thor asks, surprised, while the Scarlet Witch is worried that she is going on a mission with both Wonder Man and the Vision, her estranged husband.
Lifting up the final piece of paper, Captain America reports that the “Earth force” will consist of She-Hulk, the Falcon, Mockingbird, Spider-Woman, Hank Pym and the Wasp, Gilgamesh and Hawkeye. ‘WHAAT?’ Hawkeye shouts, before storming off out of the meeting room, he strides down a corridor, muttering that Cap is out of his flipping mind. ‘I don’t have enough raw power, he says! What’s the USAgent? Mr Universe? I don’t think so! He’s a lunatic!’ Rounding a corner, Hawkeye recalls that Mockingbir almost burst out laughing when she saw the look on his face. ‘I hate when that happens’ he declares, adding that he has been an Avenger longer than almost anybody. ‘Where’s the respect, for Pete’s sake…’.
Hawkeye continues to mutter to himself, when he bumps into Hank. ‘Um…hi’ Clint calls out. Hank tells Clint that thinks got kind of hot and heavy in there. ‘Sersi seemed to have a real chip on her shoulder, wasn’t like her at all. I think Cap just got a little distracted’ Hank tells his friend, adding that Clint deserves to go into space if he wants. ‘You were involved in our first run-in with the Kree’ Hank points out, adding that he knows what it is like to be the odd man out around here. ‘And there was a time when you were more than just an archer, remember’ Hank remarks as he tosses Clint a small vial. Clint catches it and smiles. ‘Sure do, Hank ol’ buddy. Thanks!’ he declares.
Captain America meets with the Kree-team, informing them that the Silver Surfer has reported that the new Kree leaders, Generals Dar-Benn and Ael-Dan, are fanatical in their desire to expand the empire. ‘Which only makes our job…all the…more…eh, folks?’ Cap asks, as he realizes his team are not paying attention to him. ‘Good Captain, I suggest you take a look behind thee!’ Hercules exclaims. Cap turns around, ‘Wha -? HAWKEYE!’ he shouts, seeing Clint towering over him. ‘Nope. Not this time out’ Clint replies. Wearing a revealing blue and red costume, he points out that he was Goliath the last time the Avengers took on the Kree, so seeing as how they are running into them again, he decided to take a dose of Hank’s growth serum.
‘You know how nostalgic I get, Cap’ Hawkeye points out, adding that Hank ran a series of tests just now, ‘In this form, I could give o’ Herc a run for his money in the strength department. That power raw enough for ya? Clint enquires. Cap hangs his head, ‘I knew it was going to be one of those days…’ he mutters, before telling USAgent that they have to talk. An instant later, a furious USAgent strides down a corridor, ‘That red, white and blue fossil is outta his gourd! To replace me with that ex-carny barker just because he developed a super thyroid problem! There oughta be a law!’ USAgent shouts.
Three hours later, ‘OK, Avengers, we’re in deep enough space to safely make the quantum jump’ Quasar announces as he flies between two Quinjets carrying the Kree and Shi’ar teams. Quasar radios to Cap, ‘You still sure you want me to stay behind?’ the young hero asks. ‘That’s a roger on both counts’ Cap replies, explaining that they need someone to guard the stargate. In the other Quinjet, the Scarlet Witch frowns as she sits behind the Vision and Wonder Man, who reports that they are ready and willing as well. Quasar tells the two teams to sit back and relax. ‘Next stop - the Kree Empire and the Shi’ar Imperium!’ Quasar announces as he shunts the two Quinjets through a quantum portal. ‘And good luck and Godspeed, folks’ Wendell remarks to himself, ‘Because I think we’re all in for the fight of our lives’ he adds when suddenly, the enigmatic cosmic being called Her flies towards Quasar, telling him not to sound so pessimistic. ‘I’m here to comfort you’ she tells him. ‘Oboy’ Wendell utters.
Light years away, the planet once known as Aerie, now more grandly called Throne-World, the heart of the Shi’ar empire, and home to the Empress-Majextrix, Lilandra of the House of Neramani. The powerful Lilandra stands on a podium as she speaks to a Shi’ar officer via high-tech communication. The officer’s face appears before her, and announces that the fleet has passed through the stargate, and that the Kree remain unaware of their movements. ‘But I regret to report the loss of the Praetor Alake’s stealth craft near Sol-III’ he reports. Lilandra tells the admiral that she will grieve for Alake, as he embodied all the best that is Shi’ar. Lilandra reveals that Alake advised her against this undertaking, seeking a better way. ‘Would that I had the luxury of finding one’ Lilandra remarks.
Lilandra continues, pointing out that the delicate balance of power that has kept the peace all these centuries has been tipped. ‘My Lords Chamberlain seek vengeance for Shi’ar blood shed on the borderlands by expansionist Kree’ Lilandra exclaims, adding that she finds their two empires heading irrevocably to collision, with neither side willing to see that vengeance is ever a poor reason to start a way. The admiral asks Lilandra for her orders, and she tells him to proceed to the rendezvous point. Lilandra ends the communication, and hanging her head, utters ‘Sharra and K’ythri, pray for me’, when suddenly, a voice exclaims ‘Why beseech dead, dusty gods for aid, sweet sister?’ - Lilandra spins around, ‘YOU!’ she gasps, as standing before her, is her crazed sister, Deathbird.
‘Policies of state weigh heavily upon you, do they not, little Lilandra?’ Deathbird remarks. ‘The rule of empire was not meant for one such as you. No, you are a woman of conscience’. Deathbird remarks that the death of billions will sear Lilandra’s soul like a flaming brand - that her name will be cursed across half the known universe by those she sought to save - that her precious failsafe device will usher in the doomsday she so desperately fears. ‘You embark on a perilous course. But I, who have been your most bitter enemy…and also your most loving sister…offer you a better way…’ Deathbird swears to her sister, grinning wickedly…