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Strange Changes: part the second: Resurrection Tango
Deadpool, Luke and Shadowoman are still fighting the creatures that, with the help of Malachi, have come to life from statues. They tried to call out to Dr. Druid for help, but he has suddenly disappeared, and Luke fears that he left them there to die! Deadpool manages to jump down before reaching the portal, which closes. Wade tells Luke to talk less and show a little more action. He takes out his sword and starts slicing.
Luke throws a statue at the monsters, not liking Wade’s attitude. But, Luke admits, he didn’t expect better from a lowlife, money-grabbing mercenary like Deadpool. The statue hits a monster, which falls down. Deadpool defends that the “money-grabbing” remark goes both ways: he asks Luke how much Druid paid him for this job. Luke thinks about it, but remains silent. Shadowoman tries out her shadow powers against the creatures, but bring no harm and are useless. She isn’t surprised by that. She thinks that they better come up with a plan fast, or else they will be the ones hanging on the museum walls!
Deadpool admires Shadowoman’s guts. Granted though, he jokes, the monsters are about to decorate the architecture! Luke agrees, as Shadowoman is nothing like that turncoat boyfriend of hers, who deserted them. Luke continues the battle, swearing that, if he ever gets his hands on Dr. Druid, the man will feel like the monsters he tackles! Wade jokes and thinks that Cage is just afraid that Druid’s check will bounce. Luckily, Wade has thought of a solution: that’s why he only takes American Express!
While they continue fighting, none of the heroes notices the astral form of Dr. Druid floating above their heads. Druid is a bit disappointed in Cage. He remembers that, when Malachi’s attack began, he merely rendered himself immune to detection. While hovering above the battle, Druid hopes to be better able to detect the true meaning of all this. Druid takes a look around, and it’s like he expected. He notices a lot of bricks on fire, something that the heroes can’t see.
Druid thinks that, even with the greater portion of the Moebius Stone at her disposal, Malachi’s store of surplus mystic energy was insufficient to effect a true corporal manifestation of these masterworks. Druid thinks that what his allies intend to do is little more than light and shadow, an oddity of perception, and he thinks it’s something that Shadowoman can undo with ease using some of her abilities.
Druid telepathically reaches Shadowoman’s mind and she hears him. Druid tells Jillian to cast her shadow-self wide about the room. She must obfuscate the walls and pedestals where the objects once stood. Shadowoman is surprised that Druid is still there. Deadpool and Luke are surprised as well. Shadowoman does as Druid says, and stretches her shadow-form large across the entire room, but fails to understand how this will help.
Druid explains that the foes they face possess no inherent substance: they are merely illusions! And, in much the same manner that a hologram will vanish if the laser beam which it is formed is broken, so too, Druid thinks, will these creatures disappear once the source of their unlife is obscured. Dr. Druid is correct. Once Shadowoman’s shadow-form touches the monsters, they turn into mist and disappear!
Deadpool and Luke admit that they are impressed. Druid goes back into his body and is asked by Shadowoman asks if it’s correct when she thinks they were never in any real danger. Dr. Druid thinks quite the contrary. He explains that Malachi’s minions were meant only to delay them, but they were quite capable of carrying out their lethal intensions. But Druid hopes that everyone now has more faith in him. He even congratulates Malachi on the good escape plan, as she is completely out of sight.
The museum’s alarm continues to go off. Dr. Druid tells the other that they must follow Malachi wherever she goes. Once he makes physical contact with the Moebius fragment, Druid should be able to trace its mystic trail. But first, Druid wants to return to his townhouse. He believes that the Celtic power held within the artifacts he finds on the floor will affect their transport. Deadpool has had enough of the alarm and tosses a disc against it, destroying it. They let the alarm go off almost since they got here, and he fears that the police will show up sooner or later.
Luke stops Druid, defending that he just lost one heirloom, and won’t let Druid messing with another one. Druid informs Luke that his services are no longer required, and that he can leave. Druid promises Luke that his fees have already been delivered to the offices of the American spectator. He even warns Luke that he better hurries in his departure. He sarcastically smiles, and informs Luke that the authorities frown upon ex-convicts being found at the site of a break-in. Luke won’t be scared away that easily. Until they’ve got the museum’s rock back, Luke will follow Druid wherever he goes. That’s fine by Druid.
Druid tells everyone not to fear, as he has no intentions of purloining these holy relics. He concentrates, and energy starts floating out of the doctor. He informs to go stand in a circle so he can easily teleport them out of there. Everyone does, but Wade doesn’t feel all that comfortable, once he starts hearing Druid speaking out a foreign spell. Police officers finally arrive and pull out their guns, ordering Druid and the others to freeze. Druid has just finished his spell, and everyone teleports away! The cops are startled, and don’t think that their captain will believe them.
Malachi’s palace…
Deep within the bowls of the Earth, Malachi arrives back home. This excursion proved more costly to her limited resources than she’d anticipated, thanks to Druid and his followers. But, she is pleased that at least the fragment is still in her possession. She promises someone called “Korahn” that the deed is almost done. She walks over to a statue of Korahn, and greets her beloved. She knows how much he has waited for so long. But she knows their love will see them through, as it always has. She remembers.
It happened so long ago, yet Malachi recalls with vivid clarity the day Korahn took her as his disciple, and lover. They thought to challenge the Gods themselves in their arrogance; such was their ardor. She remembers how young they were. And for all their knowledge, unwise in the ways of the world. Still, when they smiled at each other, their passion burned bright as any throughout time ever had.
But time is the enemy of all things fresh. Malachi remembers how Korahn sought to prolong their passion through the use of the fabled Moebius Stone of Agamotto. With its energies empowering both Malachi and Korahn, both their love and lives would transcend the limitations of time itself! They braved the scared temple of Agamotto, bested the guards and attendants and secured their prize!
But before they could incant the rune that would free them from the confines of mortality, Agamotto’s guardian was upon them! Korahn protected Malachi with his life while the guardian emerged. So telling was Agamotto’s wrath at their trespass that his sentinel shattered the talisman, scattering the fragments to the far corners of the Earth. Korahn stood before the guardian’s attack, and fell, shielding Malachi from his terrible power.
His business concluded, Agamotto’s guardian departed, failing, in his haste, to detect the single Moebius fragment Korahn had concealed upon his person. He gave that fragment to Malachi, so that she could live throughout the ages. But now, the Stone lies nearly restored in Malachi’s hand, and once it’s completed, Korahn will live again!
Elsewhere…
Druid and the others arrive at his home. He tells his companions that they can relax, while he completes the preparations that are required to seek out the Stone, and he warns them to not touch anything. Wade jokes that Druid is actually a nice guy: a true Donahue, by way of Boris Karloff. Luke notices that Shadowoman doesn’t look too comfortable with Druid’s sleight-of-hand act. He asks Shadowoman how she met the doctor.
Shadowoman reveals to everyone, if they want to believe it or not, she and Dr. Druid were lovers once. It’s the same old story, but maybe a little older than the others might think. Shadowoman explains that, even when she was young, she always had an interest in the occult and the arcane. So, when Anthony Druid appeared as a guest lecturer during her graduate studies at the University of San Francisco, she felt compelled to attend. And Druid’s words washed over her like a gentle spring rain. She fell an immediate bond form between the two of them. It was like Jillian had known Druid for all of her life. She had to learn more. So, she approached Druid after the lecture. It quickly became apparent that, whatever connection was between them, it ran both ways.
Intrigued by a psychic link between them, Druid offered Jillian to use his mindpowers to determine its origin. Fears of sexual misconduct on the contrary, Jillian agreed. For some reason, her trust in Anthony was total. And, when Druid turned his third eye upon Jillian’s soul, they found out why: they had shared history!
Centuries ago, just after the time of King Arthur, a wandering Celtic alchemist met an English noblewoman. They fell in love. Those two people were Jillian’s and Anthony’s past selves, in the cycle of reincarnation. Though, the past affair was torrid and brief. Unions between good Christians and those of the Pagan Celtic faiths were considered sacrilegious, and forbidden. The noblewoman’s brethren slew the alchemist for defiling his sister. With his dying breath, the alchemist vowed he would find his lost love again, in that life… or the next!
Jillian remembers how aghast she felt when discovering these facts, but she couldn’t deny how she felt. They became involved… again. But, as time went by, Jillian discovered that Anthony was actually in town for far more than just a simple lecture tour. He had come to repossess a trove of mystic artifacts that were left behind by a certain Mister Magnus. Despite Druid’s protestations, Jillian tagged along.
It seemed like a simple salvage operation, until, in her own ignorance, Jillian disturbed a series of protective wards loosing some monstrous demon. A great shard of cold passed through Jillian’s body as it lunged. She felt a rending. A tearing. Then… nothing. The last sight she saw was Druid springing to her defense, though it was a moment too late. She awoke hours later, only to find Anthony standing over her. The demon had not killed her. Instead, its touch had somehow granted her special shadow-powers. The costume came later, though it just seemed to feel right. She returned with Druid to Boston, so he could study her condition at length. And she has been with him since.
Luke thinks that the fact of Shadowoman being the reincarnation of a long-dead British princess seems a little bit far-fetched. Shadowoman corrects that Luke has got it backwards: she was the alchemist, and… Anthony was the noblewoman!
Dr. Druid enters the room, and warns everyone that everything is ready. He notices Deadpool holding a golden icon, and asks him to put it down gently. Wade jokes that he was just admiring the handwork. Dr. Druid notices that Luke has been talking to Jillian. He corrects that what happened was much more her doing. He tells Luke that he would be better off following his instructions from now on, or a similar fate, or even worse, might happen to him as well.
A cemetery on the outskirts of Seattle, Washington…
Some kids are hanging out at the cemetery, like they always too. They are bored, and think that they should either get themselves some girlfriends, or a life. Frank asks Cody what he thinks will happen to him after he dies. Cody doesn’t think anything will happen. He thinks that, when you go, you’re gone for good. Just put into the ground to rot. The other kids find that depressing. Cody doesn’t agree. He knows that when you’re dead, you have no consciousness, unaware of what’s happening. It’s just like going to sleep. But then, it’s the big sleep!
Cody stops talking. He hears someone coming. The others hear it too, and hope it isn’t Carey, as the boy kicked his butt up and down here last week. An in a pink glowing figure approaches the boys, and jokes that youth is, like always, forever wasted to the youth. Still, their interest in the hereafter intrigues the person. It’s Malachi! She tells the boys that she has learned a great deal about death throughout the years. She asks the boys if they would like a sample of her knowledge.
Malachi runs over to the boys. She tells them that the first thing they need to comprehend is that the full flavor of the afterlife cannot be conveyed through mere words. It must be perceived… first handed! The boys start to panic a bit. Malachi notices Cody, and senses that he’s a strong one. She grabs the boy, and kisses him! The other boys kid around and cheer for their friend, but Malachi is interested in something else. Cody’s life force starts floating into her body! Cody turns out, and dies. Malachi smiles at Cody that his wish has been granted, and now he knows what death is like.
The two other kids run away, and Malachi leaves as well. She mentions that thanks to the power of the Moebius Stone, which hangs on her neck, Cody’s other life-years have now been added to her own. Now, all that remains is to liberate the final fragment from the Stone’s place of entombment. A voice shouts that he can’t allow that to happen! Malachi looks up, and notices that her enemies have arrived. Dr. Druid, Deadpool, Luke and Shadowoman all land down in front of her.
While the other three move over to action, Druid warns his friends that Malachi can’t reach the crypt, or else Pandora’s Box will be opened upon them. Wade tells the doctor not to worry, as in two-and-two, Malachi won’t have a leg anymore to stand on. Malachi is impressed by Deadpool’s confidence in himself. She is also surprised that the heroes have survived her illusion attack in the first place, but won’t let that happen again. She points out her hand, and attacks the heroes with a powerful spell, which sends them flying!
Malachi shouts that the final piece of Agamotto puzzle lies near at hand. With all but that small portion at her disposal, Malachi opens another portal to escape through. She also uses another spell to transform the tombstones around the heroes, and they turn larger and start attacking. Luke asks Deadpool if he has got any ideas. Wade has only two, and he’s out of bubble gum! Luke already thought so. While he starts fighting, he warns Wade to take down the ones on the left, while Luke will concentrate on the right.
Wade agrees, and starts shooting at the gravestones, destroying them. What he wouldn’t  give for a Tolliver contract right now! Sure, Tolliver would just send Wade out to take down killer cyborgs, or Amazon woman with heavy artillery, but you’ll never hear Tolliver complain about dealing with walking statuary, or the painting that ate Paris!
Luke can appreciate the sentiment, but not the specifics. All that’s missing from this scene, he jokes, is the crypt-keeper shouting “boo” from the shadows. There’s nothing else to do for them than to just punch around until each tombstone is demolished. So, Luke continues doing that. There’s a tag-line, if Wade ever heard one. He can see it all now “he’s a Hero For Hire, getting his hands dirty the only way he knows how!” Probably goes a hundred mill! Wade jokes that even little action figures will be made out of Luke.
Meanwhile, Shadowoman realizes that Malachi’s platoon can’t do anything against her shadow-form. So, she changes and takes on that form. She knows that Cage and Deadpool can mop up there, as, after all, these things are just a diversion. She flies around in her shadow-form, and notices that Druid has disappeared again. Though she thinks there’s no doubt Druid is taking the battle to Malachi’s backyard. She senses Malachi in a nearby house, and Shadowoman thinks she better goes inside it as well.
Malachi reaches a room, where a large grave is situated in the middle. This is where her journey ends. She’s a bit disappointed that it doesn’t end in a palace of shinning gold, but she deals with it. She opens the grave, and sees a corpse, holding a glowing ring she wanted. She takes it off the corpse’s finger, and tries to put it on hers, but then… a hand knocks it away!
It’s Shadowoman! She doesn’t understand that all this mess is about this little ring. Malachi won’t let Shadowoman stop her, and uses a magic blast to push Jillian down. The ring falls out of her hands, and Malachi manages to catch. She laughs, thinking victory is hers. Unfortunately for her, Dr. Druid enters. He warns Malachi that the power of the ring is too powerful for any magician to be master of, and the energies that will come of the ring once it’s used will consume the entire world.
Suspecting that Druid wants the ring for himself, Malachi ignores his warnings. She brings the ring closer to the Stone hanging around her neck. Energies come out of both, and even float outside the building. One of the rays hits the body of Cody. He gets revived, and is turned into a zombie! And Cody is in a very bad mood now that somebody disturbed his sleep!
Cody gets up and, at that moment, Luke and Deadpool arrive. Luke is startled, and wants to know what the thing is. Deadpool jokes that it’s either some leftover George Romero cadaver, or else it’s Luke’s mother! Cody shouts that the will of Agamotto is challenged. He puts his arm through his stomach, and green blood emerges. Cody shouts that the needed weapon must be drawn. He shouts that as one almighty fashioned woman from man’s rib, so shall the instrument of vengeance be forced from the stuff of his body.
Cody pulls out one of his ribs, and it transforms into a powerful sword! He shouts that everything must be slain in two, and that the he, the pale horseman, stands ready to carry out Agamotto’s judgement. He wants the Sword of Bone to bite deep into the flesh of their enemies. It’s as Agamotto has decreed: no man shall stand before it!
Cody slashes his sword around, and destroys all of the tombstones. He goes into the house, where Malachi and the others are. A curious Deadpool and Luke decide to follow him. Once inside, they find Malachi fighting Dr. Druid. She stops fighting, surprised to see the boy she killed restored back to life. Cody Fleisher introduces himself, and orders Malachi to drop the talisman and to reveal what happened to him.
Malachi describes Cody’s fate as an unforeseen by-product of the Stone’s power. Malachi tells Cody that this battle doesn’t concern him, and that he’s better off staying away. Dr. Druid warns his allies to stop Malachi, as she’s too dangerous with the Stone. Malachi tells Druid that his costumed minions have arrived to late. Dark energy starts filling the entire chamber, and it floats around Malachi.
A huge purple portal opens, and Malachi shouts that it’s time that her beloved Korahn is restored back to her. Dr. Druid warns Deadpool, Luke and Shadowoman that this is the moment he feared: Malachi has unraveled the very fabric of time itself!


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[Assistant]
Strange Changes: part the third: On Borrowed Time
Time waits for no man. This simple proclamation has never proven truer for the people of Seattle, Washington, where, like everywhere else on the planet, the Earth starts to fall apart. Here, foliage grows at an accelerated rate, erupting through cab and asphalt alike, much to the chagrin of those whose livelihood depends upon the road, like truckers. Miles away, in the suburbs, Charles McIntyre returns home from a day of kindergarten, a full thirty years older than when he set off that morning! Downtown, buildings collapse inward upon themselves at brick spontaneously reverts to its constituent elements: mortar and unbaked clay prove insufficient to support the height and weight of such towering structures.
Witnesses to this event, their words either slowed or accelerated beyond comprehension. They find themselves entangled in a figurative tower of Babel, unable to communicate their thoughts even to those willing to listen. Further out, in a farming country, Nate Spaulding watches in wonder as crops bloom wither and die in the vine, the cycle of life repeating itself far faster than he could ever hope to harvest. The locals will not know the taste of fresh corn this season, if ever again. In rest homes, the once-infirm dance and frolic, the weight of years miraculously lifted from their shoulders.
Time waits for no man… save the one that wields the Moebius Stone! The mausoleum seems to shimmer and fade as ancient energies, long contained, are released. A triumphant Malachi holds both Dr. Druid and Shadowoman captive, and is overjoyed now that her centuries-long quest has finally been completed. Even the reconstructed talisman is now within her grasp. Finally, she possesses the energies that are required to restore her beloved Korahn to life, despite the well-intentioned meddling of the attacking Defenders.
Luke warns Malachi to give it up, as Druid was right when he said that nobody could handle so much power. The best she can hope for is that she doesn’t accidentally tear up the space-time continuum! Deadpool agrees on that. Wade warns Malachi that if he were her, he would listen Luke, even though he may be a slack-jawed through case and, if Malachi doesn’t, he will get back up again and kick her butt right after he’s got that mountain of his back. Malachi has trapped the heroes inside the energies, and the gravity is heavier than on the normal Earth. Luke asks Deadpool to shut up for just a few minutes, as they’ve got to do something. He notices Cadaver, and something seems to be wrong with him.
Cadaver himself is still struggling with the fact that he has transformed, and has memories as his time as Cody Fleisher. But he also realizes his new role as the avatar of the great Agamotto, and that he is supposed to be the guardian of the Moebius Stone. He collapses, and keeps struggling with memories. Luke notices that the kid’s down, and notices that Malachi has apparently created new monsters for them to battle. He warns Deadpool to watch his back. Luke doesn’t want to waste time with these freaks; the only one he wants to beat is Malachi. But the problem is that, no matter how much monsters he tackles, two come back to take their place!
Deadpool jokes that, apparently, Luke hasn’t been paying attention. Wade has noticed that Malachi is using the Stone to turn time on its back. It’s kind of like that girl Wade used to go out with. Malachi is un-destroying these monsters of her as fast as he and Luke break them. They keep going and going and going. Wade continues the battle, and thinks that he recognizes one of the monsters as Donna Reed. One of the monsters put his axe in Cadaver’s face, attempting to kill him. But, since he’s already dead, Cadaver stands up again and laughs at the monster, punching him in the face.
At the same time, Malachi points her attention to the captured Dr. Druid and Shadowoman. She mocks Anthony that he was a noble adversary, but she mentions the act of empowering the temporal vortex has left her somewhat drained. So, she wants Druid to wither and age and the reminder of his lifespan added to hers.
Suddenly, Shadowoman manages to slip through the chains! Jillian admits that she doesn’t know how she’s doing this exactly. She just felt like moving forward, and now she is. She thinks she best to remember asking Druid about this, if they ever get free, that is. Druid notices that Shadowoman has engulfed Malachi in the stuff of her living darkness. And, in doing so, Jillian has bought enough time for him. It’s time for Druid to turn his Third Eye inward, accelerate the birth and rebirth of his body on a cellular level, to affect, in effect, rejuvenation! After doing that, Druid seemingly turns much younger than he was before!
Malachi manages to defeat Shadowoman, as her powers are greater than Jillian’s. Shadowoman notices Druid, and is surprised. Malachi warns Jillian that she best starts worrying about herself now. Malachi opens a great attack, and the vortex grows even stronger. While everyone else of the gathered Defenders, including Cadaver and Druid, have the greatest problem of standing on their legs. Shadowoman screams it out from the pain!
Cadaver has seen enough, and releases an energy attack upon Malachi, hoping to defeat her. Deadpool notices this, and tries to figure out why he let himself talk into this mess. Jillian falls down, and Anthony catches her. Jillian thinks that she shouldn’t have survived Malachi’s attack, but isn’t sure. Anthony tells his love that she’s right. But he doesn’t seem that this is the right time to talk about it, but promises to do it after the battle is won. Jillian angrily grabs Druid by his throat, demanding to know what he did to her.
Malachi notices their argument, and jokes that apparently Druid’s student doesn’t know about her true potential. It even appears that she and Druid are not all that different. She wants to know for what reason Druid wants the Stone, and how he should use it. Druid tells Malachi to shut up, and warns her that she doesn’t want to see him angry. Malachi warns Druid not to threat her, and not even try to attempt to distract her while Cage attempts to strike from behind. She turns around and attacks Luke, asking if he wants the Moebius Stone. He can have it, and she attacks Luke with it.
Luke screams, and he starts aging backwards! He starts having the costume he wore from his time as a hero for hire, and then his strength starts fading away, back like it was before that experiment at Seagate Prison, that made Luke the man he is today. He… is powerless! Deadpool notices the change, and throws his sword at Luke so he isn’t weaponless. Wade doesn’t care about Luke’s well-being, but thought it might be funny to see him try handle his pig-sticker.
Cadaver moves closer to Malachi, demanding the Stone. Malachi answers that, if Cadaver is truly Agamotto’s handiwork like he claims to be, he would already know that she has already drunk deep from the well of his vengeance, and didn’t like it very much. She realizes Cadaver might once have had a chance against her, but not today when she has so much power to wield. She attacks Cadaver, throwing him across the room.
After this, she finally uses the Stone’s energies to restore Korahn’s body! The plan works, but Korahn isn’t too happy and wants to know why he has been pulled away from the place of rest he was in. Malachi replies that she did like planned, and so that they could always be together. Korahn reveals that thanks to his death experience, he has seen the error of their evil ways. He adds that death isn’t the end of all things, but the beginning of a long, glorious journey to explore the cycle of life.
Malachi isn’t certain if she wants to lose Korahn’s love again. She cries, and puts her head on his body. Deadpool sneaks up from behind, and puts his sword in Korahn’s body, and it turns into ashes. Malachi can’t bear to be apart of her beloved again. She wants to join Korahn on his journey, and by that plans on committing suicide.
The entire place starts tearing apart. Dr. Druid realizes that, thanks to the vortex Malachi opened and is now trying to destroy, she might destroy the entire space-time continuum as well, and they can’t let that happen. Druid suspects that he’s the only one who possesses the power to do the job. Druid hesitates, thinking about the power the Stone holds, and if he’s truly ready to put all the things that went wrong right again: Jillian, Nebula and the Avengers… will he be able to do it?
Suddenly, a powerful energy beam attacks Druid, telling him that his role in this is over. The Defenders gather, and try to help Druid get back up. It’s the demon Strange, and he shouts that the Moebius Stone belongs to none other than to him. Deadpool knows the name of Strange, but the look is unfamiliar to him. Druid warns everyone that Strange mustn’t be allowed to get the Stone.
Cadaver tries slicing Strange apart, but it doesn’t work. The demon quickly recovers himself, and strikes back at Cadaver. He picks up Cadaver’s sword, which he had dropped, and is intrigued by it. But somehow, the touch of Strange makes the sword rebel against him, and attacks the demon! Deadpool suggests that he gives up and calls it a night, as he is missing Letterman on TV as they speak.
Shadowoman warns Wade that if they are really dealing with Dr. Strange, they must be very careful as Strange is a powerful man. Wade thanks Jillian for the warning, but jokes that he’s a very hard man to kill. He fights the demon. The demon laughs, mentioning to the Defenders that their weapons are useless against him. He would have even spared their lives in return for their loyalty to him, but not anymore.
Meanwhile, Luke notices that everyone seems to be ignoring him. He can’t blame the others as his powers are gone, but maybe he can use that to his advantage, and starts sneaking around.
Demon Strange powers up, and combines his magnificent powers to defeat both Deadpool and Shadowoman in one single blow! Cadaver gets up and fights the demon again, explaining that he has lost the power to wield Agamotto’s magic skills, and therefore his sword turned against him.
Since the demon and Cadaver are too busy settling old scores, Luke manages to grab the Moebius Stone. Druid notices and begs Luke to throw it back to him. Luke isn’t certain after the way Druid left them at the museum earlier. Druid tells Luke to think about it and, if he doesn’t get the Stone, Malachi will. Luke remembers that he used to know Dr. Strange, and he admits that the creature claiming his name isn’t the real doctor. So, he throws the Stone to Druid, and he grabs it.
When he senses the Stone’s power, Druid thinks about all that he could accomplish with it, if it wouldn’t be for this mess. Demon Strange notices that Druid got the Stone back, and wants to know what he’s doing and to throw it back to him. Druid explains that, to prevent evil forces from grabbing the Stone, he must inward the Stone’s powers inside itself. He wants the Stone’s state of being regress past the day its creation. Let that what was… be no more! Energy floats out of the building.
And, across the globe, the effect of the Moebius Stone’s power melts away, like snow come spring. The road is once more clear and straight. Any other commotion seems to be no more than a momentary daydream. Parents and children are joyfully reunited. Nobody should die before their time. Buildings get restored, and stand the way they used to. A testament to man’s triumph over forces of environment. Conversation again becomes a possibility.
And for some, a certain certainty come the harvest. Life, in all its diversity, continues its steady march forward. As does time and death. From that one, final certainty, there shall be no further reprieve.
Meanwhile, demon Strange feels that the Stone’s powers have been unmade, and that he has been denied. Malachi has disappeared. Shadowoman warns everyone that it looks like the demon is suiting up for round two. He splits the floor open, and the heroes fall through it. Luke isn’t pleased with the outcome, as they didn’t even get a “thank you.” Jillian tells Luke that at least he got his powers back after the Stone shattered, plus he got a special de-powered fragment of the Stone to take back to the museum. Luke doesn’t think that’s enough and warns Jillian that, the next time they need help, they can go to Spider-Man.
Druid warns the demon to warn his master Stephen Strange that he will pay for making him do his dirty work. Druid swears that this isn’t over, as he is nobody’s lackey. Dr. Stephen Strange shall pay, and regret the moment he invaded his head.
Meanwhile, at his new living quarters, Stephen hears Druid’s threats thanks to a viewing possibility he created out of the water fountain. He’ll see if a battle between him and Druid shall come, but is glad that thanks to the demon’s actions, he has learned what he needed and that the decision he made is a good one. The Secret Defenders belong to Druid now, and Stephen tells Druid to enjoy his dreams.
Later, in South Central, Texas…
Police officers are carrying a mutated body. It’s horrible to look at; it even smells bad even when covered under a blanket. The captain is being interviewed, and doesn’t know what to make of it, as this town used to be so quiet. He knows that once is an accident, two might be a coincidence, but there’s only so many times that a man can die, his lungs filled to bursting with maddened insect, before a pattern emerges!
The captain thanks Constable for the briefing and promises that the check will be in the mail. He and his men will take it from there, and it looks like they’ll have to call in the help of a specialist. He reports back to the base, and wants to arrange a transport to Boston. He’s got a job for “Midnight Eye,” It’s time for them to contact Anthony Druid!


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[Assistant]
A Tiny Little WAR
‘You have no soul!’ Dr Anthony Ludgate Druid announces, stern-faced, as he hovers over the greyish body of the man known as Cadaver. ‘That’s nice. I don’t got not rhythm, either. But what’s it mean, Doc? By rights, I should be pushing up my share of the daises. Why am I still here?’ Cadaver inquires. Smoke from candles wafts through Druid’s atrium, as Druid replies ‘An excellent question. But, unfortunately…one with no easy answer’. Druid tells Cody that he is indeed quite dead, of that there can be no doubt, that his soul quit this vessel when Malach turned the power of the Moebius Stone upon him, leaving the shell free to be occupied by the spirit of the stone’s mystic guardian.
The mystic energies subside and Druid and Cody set down on the ground, with Druid adding ‘Your thoughts and feelings to the contrary, you are not Cody Fleisher. That person, as such, no longer exists. Only his Cadaver remains…animated and sustained through some form of retro-metabolism’. Cadaver frowns and mutters ‘Swell. So not only am I dead, I’m not who I think I am, either’, before asking Druid if the Moebius Stone was backing his little zombie act, why is it that he is still kicking now that the stone has been “86’d”. Druid smiles and suggests that they can discover why in time, but that such ruminations must be put aside for the moment, as they are about to have a visitor.
Cadaver is confused, and remarks that he didn’t hear anything, but Druid picks up a golden statue of a woman and replies ‘That is because you are not Anthony Druid…Master of the Unknown!’, and with that, the sleek Jillian Marie Woods emerges from the statue. Druid asks her if she would be so kind as to show their guest in, while Jillian looks puzzled and asks Druid if he is sure the top knot in his pony-tail braid isn’t tied too tight, as she didn’t hear the doorbell chime. ‘He shall arrive momentarily’ Druid promises. Cadaver puts a large jacket over his body and remarks ‘Weird! She acts like she was standing there the whole time!’ to which Druid explains that Jillian’s condition is “sensitive”, and instructs Cadaver not to speak to Jillian about what he just witnessed. ‘Is that understood?’ he orders.
Jillian opens the door, and a man in a suit smiles as he walks over and exclaims ‘Anthony Druid. A.k.a. Anthony Droom a.k.a. Guntag Borghelm a.k.a. Midnight Eye. Splendid to see you again, I like the braid’. Druid shakes the man’s hand, while the man looks around the room and states ‘What a magnificent tree!’ as he looks at the large tree in the room. He asks if it is oak, and points out that oak is the Celtic symbol of strength and power. ‘Mathieson. You did not come all this way to compliment my horticulture’ Druid remarks, before telling him to speak freely, as his - associates - are of the utmost discretion.
Mathieson opens his briefcase, and a projector displays images of people being attacked by bees, while he announces ‘As you know, I currently serve as Head of Bureau 18’. ‘Bureau 18 of what?’ Cadaver asks. ‘That information…is classified’ Mathieson replies, but reveals that they function as this nation’s Department of Covert Extranormal Investigation and Disinformation. ‘Ever hear of the Kree? No? That was me’ Mathieson remarks, before explaining that over the last several months they have received a series of reports containing insect-related fatalities. He states that in each case, the victim was in some way connected with the study of entomology, and there were no other commonalities, adding that he saw the last victims himself - not pretty.
‘Killer bees? Give me a break! Those went out with mood rings and polyester!’ Jillian snorts. ‘You’d do well not to scoff so, my dear’ Mathieson replies, explaining that Bureau 18 had a hand in eradicating those little beasties in the 70’s, and the alien intelligence behind them. ‘But you won’t find that face in any official report’ he adds. Mathieson continues, explaining that upon further investigation, they discovered a subtle shift in certain insect migratory patterns - inordinate numbers of numerous species converging upon a Rand-Meacham supercollider project near Houston, Texas. ‘The technos there are playing around the sub-quantum particles, dangerous stuff’ Mathieson explains, although he admits that it might not be related.
Mathieson tells Druid and his associates that his sources have proven unequal to the task of ferreting out the underlying cause of the disturbances. Mathieson announces that he discovered a report about a mysterious breka-in at the Chicago Museum of Art, in which a number of Celtic artificats had been arranged to form some sort of sigil, he knew that Druid must have become active again. ‘Don’t worry, I buried the report, as always’ Mathieson assures Druid. ‘You thought my affinity with nature might succeed where science has failed’ Druid supposes, arms folded across his chest, before telling his old friend that he will do his bidding, this one time, adding that he will require the services of an expert in insect behavior - Henry Pym a.k.a. the Avenger called Giant Man.
At that moment, in a Quinjet, Dr Pym is informed that he is cleared for landing. ‘Roger that, control. Now making final approach’ Pym replies, as the Quinjet descends at a high-tech facility. Giant Man emerges from the Quinjet, and is approached by several people, one of whom introduces himself as Daniel Rand, the Chairman and CEO of Rand-Meachum Inc. ‘May I say, it’s an honor to have a celebrity of your - stature - pay us a call’ Danny Rand announces, before telling Giant Man that he doesn’t want to appear rude, while asking what exactly brings him here. Carrying two containers, Giant Man replies ‘Offiical business, Mr Rand’, explaining that the Avengers received a communiqué from the highest levels of US Government. ‘Seems someone thinks there’s a problem involving the local insects’ Giant Man explains.
As he shifts down to a regular size, Giant Man declares that next to size shifting, chatting with the ants is what he does best. ‘I think someone’s been pulling your sizeable leg, Doctor’ Danny remarks as he follows Giant Man, telling him that they have been finding a few insects in their equipment, but that that seems more like a job for the local exterminator. Giant Man responds by telling Danny Rand that ecological concerns are seldom that cut-and-dried. ‘But we’ll see soon enough’ he points out.
Walking down a corridor, Danny tells Giant Man that he picked an apt time to check out the facility, as they are planning to fire up the supercollider for the first time later today, which is why he is here to oversee the test. Danny explains that if it works, there is no telling what secrets of creation they may lay bare. ‘Sounds intriguing’ Giant Man replies, before Danny introduces the team responsible for the project. Several scientists gather around, while with them is Harvey Allwood, safety inspector for the state. ‘Doctor Pym a.k.a. Giant Man a.k.a. Ant-Man a.k.a. Yellowjacket. Pleased to meet you’ Harvey Allwood calls out as he and Giant Man shake hands.
Standing behind Giant Man and Danny Rand is Dr Druid, Jillian Marie Woods and Cadaver. ‘Your pal Mathieson blends into a crowd almost as seamlessly as we do, Anthony’ Jillian remarks, while Mathieson - “Harvey Allwood” remains with the scientists. ‘All part of his job’ Druid replies, adding that, for thme, the subtle psychic screen should insure their anonymity, and guarantee that Pym doesn’t recognize him. ‘The Avengers think me a threat at worst, an incompetent at best’ Druid points out, adding that, for the moment, he sees nothing to be gained by altering that perception.
Giant Man holds up a cybernetic communicator and is about to place it on his head as tells everyone ‘If there is a problem with the local fauna, this cybernetic communicator should enable me to -’, but he suddenly, there is a loud ZUMM ZUMM noise, and Hank screams in agony, and pulls the headpiece away from him. Concerned, Danny Rand asks Dr Pym if he is all right. Hank replies that he is, but that he has never heard anything like it. Giant Man holds up the headpiece, which has smoke pouring from it, and announces that it was as though all of the insects in the region, regardless of genus, were singing in harmony. Hank explains that he will need to make a few adjustments to the helmet’s decrypting circuitry before attempting a second contact.
Dr Druid beckons Jillian and Cadaver to come with him, assuring them that he has the information he needs. They exit the facility and Druid explains that as Pym has detected it, they shall seek out the source of the “insect harmony” by their own means. As she summons her rather familiar costume, Jillian asks Anthony if he is sure they wont be needing Giant Man on this expedition. ‘You made a pretty big production about arranging for his presence here’ she points out. Calling Jillian by her code-name, Shadowoman, Druid admits that Pym has his uses, but that he wouldn’t trust him with anything important.
Soon, the trio sand on some dry, cracked ground, and Druid announces that this is the spot. He explains that his mystic senses detect a disturbance below them, adding that the harmony remonstrates from deep within the earth itself. ‘Well, if that’s the case…let nothing bar out path!’ Cadaver exclaims as he pulls a rib bone from his own body. Green gunk spurts everywhere, before he raises the bone overhead, and it transforms into a large sword, which he shoves into the ground, and from it, the earth opens, creating a large hole. ‘Not exactly shy or retiring, is he?’ Shadowoman comments. ‘Indeed ‘Druid agrees, and as they follow Cadaver into the hole, while he continues to cut away at the earth, Druid decides that Cody Fleisher - Cadaver - is an ally of inestimable value, and one whom he can ill afford to lose.
‘Look at him go! Makes John Henry look like Woody Allen!’ Shadowoman jokes as she and Druid follow Cadaver through the tunnel, as he continues to use his transformed rib to move the earth before them. Druid announces that they are nearing the epicenter of the phenomenon. ‘Be prepared for -’ he begins, when suddenly, ‘Bugs! Millions of them!’ Shadowoman exclaims as various insects swarm around them. Cadaver looks horrified and declares that the Sword of Bone is ill-equipped to deal with such myriad miniscule antagonists. However, the cavern begins to crumble, and cave in on the heroes. Druid falls forward, and tells Jillian to assume her shadow-form, to save herself. ‘Anthony!’ Shadowoman calls out, as Druid and Cadaver are buried in the rubble.
Meanwhile, back at the Boston townhouse of Dr Druid, in the central arboretum, there is a rumbling noise, and the statute which houses Jillian Woods suddenly glows. A large demonic figure appears and towers over the statue, laughter booming throughout the atrium. The statue releases energies up at the demon, and more rumbling follows.
At that moment, back in the caved-in ground. ‘Jillian…’ Dr Druid utters as he wakes up. ‘I think we found the source of all that racket!’ Cadaver exclaims as he and Druid are stuck to the edge of the cavern. ‘Or rather, it found us!’ Cadaver adds, and Dr Druid looks at the insects which cluster about a central mass, almost assuming a humanoid form. A large purple cloak billows behind the humanoid form, while more insects buzz around Druid and Cadaver, who exclaims ‘That thing’s got us stuck up here like flies to paper! And, with the Sword of Bone torn from my grasp…I cannot exert sufficient force to rend this substance asunder!’
Druid’s eyes glaze over, and he thinks to himself ‘Intriguing. It would appear that, in times of stress, Cody Fleisher’s persona is superseded by that of Agamotto’s Pale Horseman’. However, he decides that this is hardly the moment of such insights,  and knows that he must attempt to communicate with the strange, aggregate entity, and discern its secrets, its history. ‘Perhaps a simple mind-touch will tell me what I need to -’ Druid begins, and as images flash before his eyes - of the strange creature fighting the Champions of Los Angeles, and at another time fighting Spider-Man, Druid suddenly screams ‘NOOOOO!’, while the strange creature speaks, ‘Foolish sack of flesh!’ it begins.
‘The thoughts of we are unknowable to one such as you!’ the creature explains. ‘But we shall deign to speak in a manner you will understand’ It explains that once they were as he, but that have shed any preteens of humanity. ‘We are Swarm!’ the creature boasts. ‘We are the superior life form! And we will not allow your attacks upon we to go un-answered!’ Swarm continues, stating that the energy emissions from the hive / colony have caused severe distress amongst “we”, and boasts that “they” will have restitution - revenge. ‘We had hoped to act surreptitiously, but now that we have been discovered…we must act’.
Swarm explains that they will commandeer the device the meat-mammals call a “supercollider”, and use its destruction to create a massive electromagnetic pulse, rendering their technology inoperative. ‘Without his machines to protect him, man will be easy prey for we…and the insect epoch - the triumph of the master race - will be assured!’ Swarm boasts. Druid understands that the emigrational disturbance was not an act of nature, but one of war, a war that may spell the end of the human species. Druid knows he has to concentrate and send his thoughts out across the void, as his mind-touch revealed that Swam has been confronted, and defeated, before, so it would behoove him to garner assistance from the architects of that defeat.
Meanwhile, in Greenwich Village, ‘This is the place, Warren’ Bobby “Iceman” Drake tells his friend and teammate Warren Worthington III a.k.a. Archangel, who asks ‘A fern bar?’ Bobby explains that he and Hank used to come here all the time when they were young. ‘Trust me, you’ll love it. The poetry’s amazing!’ Bobby promises. Suddenly, the two heroes hear a voice in their heads - ‘Archangel! Iceman! This is Professor X!’ their mentor calls out telepathically, before projecting an image of himself above them. He announces that he has received word of mutant activity near the Rand-Meachum technological facility in Houston. He orders his X-Men to go and investigate.
Bobby freezes over, transforming into Iceman, while Archangel loses his trench coat, and his metal wings are on display as he takes flight, following Bobby on his ice-sled. Bobby asks Warren if the Professor seemed kind of brusque to him, to which Archangel reminds Iceman that the Professor has been under pressure lately - Illyana’s death, the Legacy Virus, the new academy. ‘With a load like that…is it really any wonder that he hasn’t been himself?’
Druid hangs his head, ‘Taxed…my failing resources to the limit…but that pseudo-image of their mentor should draw those I require to my side!’ he tells himself, praying that it is not already too late.
Back at the facility, ‘There! I’ve realigned the helmet’s input circuitry. With any luck, we’ll soon know what’s going on around here -’ Giant Man remarks as he examines the headpiece, when suddenly, he is attacked by a swarm of insects. ‘Get ‘em off me! Get ‘em off me!’ someone screams, while Danny Rand leaps into action, pushing people to safety, and Giant Man increases his size. Danny Rand tells everyone to follow him, while reaching into his suit pocket, deciding that if he is going to enter into combat, even against so bizarre and enemy, the traditions of K’un Lun demand that a warrior be properly attired.
Giant Man suddenly slams into the ceiling and tells the remaining scientists, including “Harvey Allwood”, to get out of here. He realizes that growing to such a size wasn’t a good idea, as there is only that much more of him for the insects to attack. ‘”Harvey Allwood” calls out to Giant Man, ‘Your cybernetic helmet!’ he exclaims, and Giant Man takes it from him as he shrinks back down to his regular size. Giant Man points out that they will need to fall back to a defensible position, and he, “Allwood” and the others begin to follow Danny Rand - whom Giant Man sees putting a mask on over his face, and exclaims ‘Rand! You - you’re Iron Fist!’. Iron Fist looks back and tells Giant Man that there is no time to exchange life histories, announcing that there is an airtight testing chamber near the heart of the complex.
Everyone follows Iron Fist, while the insects swarm after them, he explains that if they make it to the chamber they can use it as a bunker, they might have a fighting chance at survival. They move closer to the chamber, and Iron Fist shouts out an access code, so it opens, while he removes his suit jacket, revealing his costume underneath. ‘If I could get a moment to recalibrate the helmet, I might be able to disrupt -’ Giant Man begins, but Iron Fist leaps into action, telling him that he shall have the time he needs. Iron Fist summons forth his chi and lets the power of the Iron Fist ward off the insects’ stings. But, it is hard for him, as he is still not what he was before his “death” and resurrection. Danny urges himself not to falter, and manages to keep the insects at bay to give Giant Man the time he needs. ‘Even…even if it costs me…my life’ he thinks to himself, sweat dripping down his face, he clenches his teeth as the insects fall back from him.
Giant Man soon exit’s the chamber, wearing the helmet, which releases a frequency. ‘It’s working!’ he exclaims, explaining that he has jury-rigged the helmet into a crude cybernetic scrambler, broadcasting along the same frequency as the strange harmonic resonance. The result is a wall of painful static that the insects can’t cross. Iron Fist keels over and Giant Man asks him if he is all right. Clutching his head, Iron Fist replies that he is somewhat drained, but believes he is okay. ‘Take five anyway - doctor’s orders!’ giant Man calls out, telling Iron Fist that he has earned it, while pointing out that it is not like they are going anywhere.
Inside the chamber, “Allwood” stands away from the others, and whispers into a communicator: ‘Coronet Blue to System Seven, come in, Seven’, he reports that they have a glitch - priority Roswell. Sternly, he orders that if he fails to report in every thirty minutes, System Seven is to see to it that a nuclear device is “accidentally” detonated at this location.
Meantime, ‘Anthony…where…the cave-in! The bugs!’ Jillian Woods in her shadow form calls out. ‘Must’ve blacked out for a second’ she realizes, before telling herself ‘Ha-ha, Jillian. Very droll’. She knows that she is completely entombed, her intangible shadow-form must have passed right into the falling rock. She floats downwards through the tunnel, seeing neither Druid nor Cadaver, she knows that she must find them. Suddenly, she sees a light, and realizes that it is the Sword of Bone. Jillian knows that Cody would never leave it behind, as it is like a part of him. ‘Heck, it is a part of him’ she realizes, before trying to pick it up, only a burst of energy knocks her back. ‘Thing’s got a mind of it’s own! Won’t let me near it!’ she exclaims, before deciding that if Mohammad won’t come to the mountain, she will have to bring the mountain to Mohammad.
Shadowoman continues down through the tunnel, ‘That is, as soon as I find the mountain’ she thinks to herself, before noticing the insects around her are ignoring her, and passing through her as if she wasn’t there. ‘Not that I’m complaining’ she decides, supposing that it is a new function of her shadow power. ‘Just another question to add to the list’ she realizes, when suddenly, she reaches the cavern, ‘Ominous cloaked figure…bugs everywhere…Druid and Cody trussed to the wall…either I’ve stumbled into some new-wave bondage palace, or this is the place!’ she thinks to herself, while deciding that the only question is what she does next, as she hovers above Swarm.
Back in the Rand-Meachum facility, Iron Fist reports that communications with the outside world have been cut off by the bugs, so they are on their own. ‘That’s the least of our worries’ Giant Man replies Iron Fist asks him what is wrong, to which Giant Man explains that insects are adapting at a phenomenal rate. He continues to release the wave from the helmet, but announces that the insects are restructuring their language around the interference, and gradually penetrating the barrier. ‘And, once they’re through…so are we!’ Giant Man exclaims.


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

[Assistant]
Survival of the Fittest
Listen…can you hear it? The synchronized, simpatico beating of a thousand tiny wings, vibrating in unison in the skies of Houston, Texas. The whirs, ticks and clicks of a million minute voices, an ominous buzz screaming out against a hundred-thousand years of misery and oppression. A chorus of insects, united across all boundaries of genus and species in a common declaration - a declaration of war! Bobby “Iceman” Drake inside a jet and Warren “Archangel” Worthington III can hear it as they approach the Rand-Meachum facility. ‘Iceman - look out! BUGS!’ Archangel calls out from where he hovers in the bug-infested air. Archangel sweeps his razor-sharp wings upwards to scatter the bugs away from him, while telling Iceman that he thinks they have found the mutant activity Professor X sent them to investigate.  However, Archangel’s sweeping wings send the bugs towards the jet. ‘I don’t like the way they’re eyeing this ship!’ Iceman calls out.
‘Score one for the kid! They’re making their move - a suicide squeeze into the air intakes!’ Iceman exclaims from within the jet, as countless insects swarm into the air ducts, which causes the Blackbird to overheat, and suddenly starts to plummet downwards. Archangel calls out to his friend, and speeds downwards after the jet, telling Bobby not to panic. ‘you’ve got an angel on your shoulder’ Archangel jokes as his metal wings shatter part of the jet, and he pulls Bobby to safety, as the jet slams into the ground below and explodes. ‘Great! Now I’ll have to explain to the Professor how I totalled a multi-million dollar prototype!’ Bobby complains. ‘You could always tell him it had a few bugs in it’ Warren jokes. ‘I think I liked you better as the cold, aloof, bitter Archangel!’
Archangel drops Iceman out of his arms as Bobby starts to release beams of ice and creates an ice-sled, while Bobby points out that at least the old Archangel would have remembered which of them was renowned for sardonic wit. ‘Now just give me a minute to ice up…and I’ll show you the one about the fly and the ice cube’ Bobby jokes as he blasts the insects with ice beams.
Listen…can you hear it? Deep within the walls of the Rand-Meachum research facility, the footsteps of a horde of miniscule soldiers, charging an enemy fate made up solely of sound - slowly, inexorably working their way through invisible cracks. ‘They’re getting closer, Giant Man!’ calls out Danny Rand a.k.a. Iron Fist as he stands nearby as Dr Hank Pym a.k.a. Giant Man, who releases a sonic vibration from a headpiece he uses to communicate with insects. ‘I know, Iron Fist! I’ve been trying to shift the transmission frequencies of my crude jammer fractionally to compensate…but whatever consciousness is guiding these insects is adapting at a phenomenal rate!’ Giant Man explains, adding that in another few moments, the insects will be all over them.
Inside a chamber nearby, the scientists, and the man called Mathieson, who is currently here under the alias “Harvey Allwood”, look out the door of the chamber, and Mathieson wonders where Druid and his people are. ‘If they don’t check in soon…I’ll be forced to take drastic measures to save humanity’ he thinks to himself, knowing that Bureau 18 will arrange a covert missile strike, and the name R.G Mathieson will become synonymous with nuclear devastation. A woman in the chamber calls out to Giant Man and informs him that their situation is more critical than he knows - revealing to him that the supercollider is already on-line. ‘WHAT?’ Giant Man gasps. He points out that without someone to regulate its operation, the entire installation could be reduced to a smoldering crater. Giant Man knows that he has to make contact with the intelligence behind the attack, but wonders how.
Listen…can you hear it? Reverberating through the bowels of the earth…a voice like a hundred diminutive buzz saw on dry wood…tinged with hatred that spans decades. ‘We encounter resistance! One seeks to disrupt the community that is we!’ exclaims the being known as Swarm deep in a cavern underground. ‘His efforts are futile! We are the future of this planet! We are Swarm!’ the being, comprised of insects, with a large purple cloak flowing behind him - it - them - calls out. Behind Swarm floats Jillian Marie Woods a.k.a. Shadowoman floats, and seeing Dr Anthony Druid and Cadaver trapped against the wall of the cavern, she tells herself that this is not good. She knows she has to find a way to free them, and wished she knew more about how her shadow-powers work.
Jillian switches into an almost fluid-like shadow state, unsure of what she can do to help the others, especially if Cadaver’s own strength can’t bust him out of the binds that trap him. She wonders if Swarm will be so dazzled by her charm, wit and beauty that he will unwrap them just to get on her good side, but decides that won’t happen. She is relieved that the bugs can’t detect her in her shadow form, and moves towards where Druid and Cadaver are held captive. ‘This did not need to happen!’ Swarm exclaims. ‘We would have been content to let your species’ self-destructive nature prove its downfall! But the attack of your hive / colony upon we demand response!’ Swarm adds, declaring that mercy only breeds contempt, this they have learned from the man they once were.
‘Shadowoman!’ Druid calls out mentally when he sees her above him. He explains that Swarm intends to create a massive electro-magnetic pulse to cripple man’s technology, using the supercollider at Rand-Meachum, and tells her that it is imperative she free them. ‘How?’ Jillian asks. ‘Attend my words…’ Druid begins, informing Shadowoman that she must compress her shadow form into a minute pocket of non-being, centralized at the heart of Cavader’s prison. ‘I can do that?’ Jillian asks, as she shifts into a tiny stream of shadow, and forces herself into the rock that has encased Cadaver.
Druid explains to Shadowoman that in this manner, she should effect a trans-temporal null-space, allowing Cadaver to slip through. Suddenly, a fist bursts from the rock, and then another, and a head. ‘Freedom!’ Cadaver exclaims as he pulls himself out of the rock. ‘Better speed it up, Cody. Bugface’s got your number!’ Shadowoman exclaims as she returns to her shadow form. Cadaver begins punching at the bonds that trap Druid. ‘I shall tend to your liberation with due haste!’ Cadaver exclaims, while Swarm sends a flurry of insects towards the heroes, ‘We do not comprehend the how of your escape! But before the fury of the master race…it shall prove a highly transient state!’ Swarm exclaims.
Listen…can you hear it? The frantic pounding of a man’s heartbeat as his nerves are strained to the breaking point - and a desperate decision is reached. Hank tells himself that they are out of options, as he has pushed the inducer coils as far as they will go and now the helmet is beginning to overheat. Sweat pours down Hank’s face as hew decides that there is one more thing he can try, and tells Iron Fist to move back into the chamber with the scientists and to cover his ears. ‘Whatever else happens…there’ gonna be one heckuva band!’ Giant Man calls out, and suddenly, there is a loud THRUUUUMMM noise, and energy radiates from the helmet. ‘The insects are scattering - as though the hand which guided them had received some sudden shock!’ Iron Fist calls out as he exits the chamber, followed by “Allwood” and the others.
‘That’s exactly what happened, Fist!’ Giant Man replies, explaining that he purposely overloaded the helmet’s transmission nodes, causing a sub-harmonic pulse that shot clear back to the source of the hive-mind. ‘Then you could have done that at any time?’ Iron Fist enquires. Giant Man points out that he is a scientist, and that he prefers to utilize empirically-proven procedures, while this was nothing more than a fortunate gamble. Hank adds that the effect will only be temporary, so they have to move. Everyone follows he and Iron Fist through the facility, announcing that they have to pull the plug on the supercollider before the insects unscramble their synapses.
Back in the cavern, ‘NO! Something strikes…at the very core of me!’ Swarm shrieks, falling backwards. Cadaver continues to free Druid from the bonds, while Shadowoman floats over to Swarm, deciding that it looks like their happy host is having trouble keeping his head on straight for some reason. Jillian tells herself that she might be able to add to his confusion by creating a zone of null-perception, and she hovers over him, while Dr Druid exclaims ‘Excellent! I am free!’ and tells his companions that they must move quickly. ‘The supercollider -’ he begins, while Swarm shouts ‘Arrogant meat! We are very disappointed! If your sprays and poisons and bombs cannot destroy we, did you believe your noise would?’, and boasts ‘We are the superior species! Supremely adaptable! And our acts of reprisal shall proceed as planned!’
In the research lab, Giant Man sees that the insects are regrouping for another attack. ‘Already played my trump card! Nothing left -’ he thinks to himself, when suddenly, a voice calls out ‘Everybody…FREEZE!’ and a powerful ice blast strikes the insects, as Iceman attacks them. ‘Looks like Christmas is coming early for you folks! And a white Christmas at that!’ Iceman jokes. ‘The X-MEN!’ someone calls out. Iron Fist declares that he doesn’t know how or why the X-Men are here, but that they could certainly use their assistance. Giant Man tells Iron Fist to get the scientists out of here, and announces that he is going after the supercollider.
Iron Fist begins to say that he will go with him, but suddenly, he collapses. “Allwood” rushes over to him, and helps him up, as Giant Man suggests he leave with the others. ‘After that stunt you pulled holding off those insects…whether you’ll admit it or not, you’re in no shape to continue!’ Giant Man continues down the corridor, with Archangel and Iceman following, as Iceman exclaims ‘Don’t worry! We’ll see to it that this menace is stopped…no matter what it costs!’
Meanwhile, on Route 87, just outside Omaha, Nebraska, night has fallen, and a hitchhiker stands on the side of the road. ‘Here comes one now! Get ready!’ a strange voice calls out. ‘Shh!’ the young man exclaims, as a red car approaches - and then speeds past him. The hitchhiker raises a hand and strange energy bubbles around it - the car then comes to a stop. Two men exit the car and look under the hood. ‘Spit! Looks like the manifold’s shot!’ one of them exclaims, adding that there is no service station for miles. The hitchhiker, face hidden by the shadows of the night, approaches them: ‘Pardon me. Maybe I can help. I’ve got a - way - with cars’ he explains, adding that all he would ask in return is a lift, as he has to get to Boston, Massachusetts. The men look at him strangely.
Inside the cavern, ‘Why do you insist on opposing we, soft-bodied bipeds, when your extinction is a conclusion foregone?’ Swarm asks, telling them that they have fouled this sphere with the excrement of their civilization for too long. ‘See now - know now - the wraith of we!’ Swarm boasts. Cadaver points out that the creature’s mass discorporate into a million minute organisms. ‘Its essence is both everywhere…and nowhere!’ Cadaver adds. Druid realizes that when denied his Sword of Bone, Cadaver is at a distinct disadvantage, as the sword is a literal physical extension of his body, so the aura should resonate in synch with his own. Druid supposes that it may be possible for him to divine the sword’s location, and he succeeds in doing so, locating the sword at the heart of the catacombs.
Armed with the knowledge of the sword’s whereabouts, Druid is able to exercise his power of psychokenesis, and in doing so, transports the Sword of Bone to its rightful hand - and Cadaver grasps it as it appears in front of him. ‘The Sword of Bone! Once more, its flames fairly sing in my grasp!’ Cadaver exclaims, before swinging the sword about at the insects which attack him. ‘Feel you now, vermin…the righteous rage of the Pale Horseman!’ Cadaver declares that this hive of evil must not stand, so he starts slicing the cavern walls in an attempt to raze it to the ground. ‘Since you so cavalierly advocate the annihilation of an entire species…let us see…how greatly you savor…the destruction…of your own!’ Cadaver calls out as there is a rumbling, and the cavern walls begin to fall inwards.
Listen…can you hear it? The low, rumbling hum as subatomic particles collide and shatter in an orgy of conflagration…like the sound of Gabriel’s Horn, heralding the end of the human epoch. Archangel, Iceman and Giant Man arrive in the lab where the supercollider is housed, and Iceman exclaims ‘The giant popcorn-popper is snapping and crackling like it’s fit to burst!’ while asking Dr Pym what it means. Giant Man replies that in laymen’s terms, it means that it is time to break out the lead suits and the burn salve. ‘Follow me!’ he tells the X-Men, rushing over to where some suits are stored, he tells Archangel and Iceman to grab an environmental suit, as they will help minimize exposure to any radiation that escapes the contact chamber.
Tapping away at a console, Giant Man announces that he is trying to regulate the reaction, but it is no good, as most of the controls are inoperative. ‘Best we can hope for is to decrease the radius of the blast’ he tells the X-Men, when suddenly, he screams as insects burst from the circuit boards and begin attacking him. Iceman pardons himself if he is overstepping himself, but points out that he possesses no more than a degree in accounting, but recalls that all molecular motion ceases at absolute zero, which would explain the condition of his love life, as he begins to freeze the supercollider. He tells Archangel and Giant Man to get into the environmental suits, and prepare for the big chill.
Outside, Iron Fist, “Allwood” and the scientists have gathered away from the complex, but they see it suddenly start to freeze solid. ‘Never seen anything like it!’ one of the scientists gasps. Iron Fist frowns, he can’t imagine what is transpiring within those walls, but he feels that he should be there, beside the others. ‘If you have laid down your lives in my stead, my friends…I shall avenge you’ he tells himself. Suddenly, a very large Giant Man bursts through the side of the complex, while Archangel flies after him, carrying Iceman. ‘They’re alive!’ gasps Iron Fist, while Giant Man explains that the containment suits saved them, barely. Giant Man reports that the supercollider has been neutralized, but that he wouldn’t hazard into the building anytime soon, while Archangel suggests they get on with tracking down the intelligence behind the attack - and he thinks he knows what they will discover when they follow its emanations back to the source.
Down in the cavern, there is a rumbling, as the Sword of Bone bursts up from underneath the rubble caused by the cave in. ‘When! What a way to travel underground’ Shadowoman exclaims as she flies out, while thanking Cadaver for the assist, as she thought he had lost it there for a minute. ‘Fashioning an escape for those with corporeal forms had ever been my intent’ Cadaver replies, while Druid points out that Swarm’s hive is no more, but wished they could say the same of that entity. ‘Oh, be real, Anthony! It was like Hiroshima in there! Swarm couldn’t possible have survived!’ Shadowoman exclaims, when suddenly, countless insects gather together, and re-form, as Swarm calls out ‘Foolish meat-mammal…your assumption is erroneous!’
‘No longer do we require the remains of the human Von Meyer around which to coalesce! We cannot be killed! Cannot be held! We adapt to any and all eventualities! And there is always more of we!’ Swarm boasts, explaining ‘That is our strength…and the source of your eventual downfall!’ Druid, Cadaver and Shadowoman remain ready for combat, with Druid asking ‘If what you say is true, Swarm, then why squander your resources in a petty war whose eventual outcome is already predetermined? That is…the human thing to do!’ Druid continues, stating that if man is as self-destructive as Swarm claim’s, then Swarm need merely wait, as its victory is inevitable. ‘We will do your work for you!’ Druid points out, adding that escalating acts of aggression, then Swarm risks attracting the enmity of the human race.
Druid points out that Swarm has seen how skilled humans are in the arts of war. ‘Tell me…do you wish to see those talents turned towards your destruction? Swarm hovers over the heroes, and replies ‘Your point…is valid! And yet your hive / colony…’, to which Druid interrupts, assuring Swarm that he shall see to it that Swarm’s grievances are addressed. ‘On this you have my word’ Druid adds. ‘Very well. You have given we much to think upon. But know that, should your word prove false…we shall be back’ Swarm calls out, as the insects begin to separate and disperse.
Listen…can you hear it? The scratching of heads, the stroking of chins…and silence. ‘So what happened here?’ Iron Fist asks as he, Giant Man, Iceman and Archangel stand over the large hole in the ground. ‘Darned if I know!’ Giant Man exclaims, adding that his cyber-scanner indicates that the aggregate intelligence had amassed at this spot, but that it has since dissipated into its constituent parts. Suddenly, the telepathic voice of Professor Charles Xavier calls out to Archangel and Iceman: ‘Forgive my bluntness, but what are you doing in Texas?’ Xavier enquires. ‘You…you sent us here…to check out a sighting of mutant activity…didn’t you?’ Archangel replies. ‘I did no such thing!’ Xavier retorts. ‘Weird’ Archangel remarks.
‘Maybe it was your evil double from the future or something. Wouldn’t be the first time’ Iceman matters, while Xavier agrees that something is indeed amiss, and asks them to return to the Mansion, as they must investigate this matter most thoroughly. Gazing down into the hole, Giant Man rubs his head and wonders if they will ever know what really went on here. ‘Its doubtful’ Iron Fist decides, adding that from the look of things, he would say humanity has itself a few secret defenders’.
‘This affair is concluded, Mathieson…for now. And shall remain so as long as the Rand-Meachum supercollider project is abandoned’ Dr Druid tells Mathieson. ‘Not to worry, Anthony! I’ve already set events into motion which will result in the re-zoning of this entire area. I think it’d make a nice park, don’t you?’ Mathieson remarks, to which Jillian warns him that he keep his peepers polished, as Swarm is still out there, and he is not the sort to be bought off with a few acres of land. Druid agrees, and remarks that Swarm’s eyes are everywhere. ‘And should we again fail to consider the consequences of our actions…he will know, Mathieson. And our time in the sun will be over!’ Druid declares, the four unaware that several insects are flying after them.
Listen…can you hear it? Can you…?


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

[Assistant]
Untitled
The Sovereign Republic of New Tian – the new mutant state:The cloudy night sky covers the city, where mutants and humans alike live together. A billboard depicts Xorn and his inner circle – the Beast, Archangel and Sebastian Shaw, while a recorded messages announces 'King Xorn and his advisors have built a country where mutant and humans live peacefully – side by side and arm in arm... looking toward a brighter future'.
Two mutants look at a human, who does not make eye contact with them. Nearby, another mutant suddenly knocks a human off his motorcycle. 'Mutants are in charge now, humie! Get used to it!' the mutant exclaims, while the human clutches his stomach. Two police officers wearing leather jackets with large a large yellow X on them approach the situation and ask what is going on. 'Oh, thank God! Officer he... he's trying to kill me!' the human calls out as he gets back to his feet. Innocently, the mutant claims that the human started it. 'I was minding my own business when he called me a “gene joke” and tried to run me down' the mutant explains.
'That's a lie! Why would I do that? I never touched him!' the human protests. One of the officers asks the mutant if he feels his life was in danger, and the mutant announces that he absolutely did, while the other officer restrains the human, informing him that threatening a mutant with violence is a class three offense, so he is placing him under arrest. 'Owww!' the human complains as his arm is twisted by the officer. 'No, don't!' he tells him, while the officer informs the human that if he resists, he will respond with restraining force. A van with a large banana on it drives past the situation, and on through New Tian. 'Drive to the border' a man wearing sunglasses and a scarf around his mouth and nose remarks quietly. 'Stay inconspicuous' the driver replies quietly.
At the border, Hydra soldiers monitor the cars approaching the checkpoint, which indicates “Hydra Nation” on the signage. A recording informs drivers that they are entering Hydra Nation territory and are bound by the treaties signed between the two countries. The recording indicates that all visitors must submit to mandatory inspection before being cleared to continue, and that refusal to comply may result in being turned back or detained. 'Do not engage until you arrive' someone in the van utters quietly. The recording then states that M-gene actives are not allowed in Hydra territory. 'What is the purpose of your visit?' a Hydra officer asks a man who passes through a scanner, and replies 'Business'. The Hydra agent asks him if he carries the M-gene or has immediate family with mutant abilities, to which the man replies that he doesn't. The recorded message then instructs visitors to have their identification ready and comply with border security to expedite the inspection process.
One of the Hydra agents then opens the back door of the van, and three mutants burst from the van, 'DEATH TO HYDRA!' shouts Shiro Yoshida a.k.a. Sunfire as he burns several Hydra agents. Humans run in fear, while Marshall Evan Stone III a.k.a Random fires a powerful blast from his hand which he has materialized as a large weapon, and Joanna Cargill a.k.a. Frenzy just looks like her usual angry self as she grabs a Hydra agent and slams him hard into the border patrol office. 'Down with the fascist regime!' she exclaims. Random starts firing at the Hydra Nation signs and declares that mutants are the future, while Sunfire spreads his powerful flame around the area and exclaims that they will not be silenced, and will not surrender. 'We -' Sunfire begins, when suddenly, a mechanical tendril slams into his face, courtesy of Superior Octopus.
'What you will do is stop your incessant chanting! Now, yield or be brought down in a most painful manner' Superior Octopus warns the mutants. Random opens fire at Superior Octopus, who deflects the fire with his tendrils. 'We will not surrender!' Random boasts. 'Suit yourselves, you fools' Superior Octopus replies, before extending his tendrils, and using them to punch Random. 'I'm happy to test the strength of my new tentacle array against your stupidity...and show you why I am the Superior Octopus' the agent of Hydra declares as his tendrils slam Random into the ground. 'Death to Hydra!' Sunfire calls out as he flies towards Superior Octopus, who swiftly extends his tendrils, slamming Sunfire backwards as he mutters that his genius is wasted slugging it out with z-listers and crackpots. 'Give me a real challenge!' he demands.
'Do not let yourself get captured' Frenzy utters to herself as she tosses a Hydra agent aside with ease. She then helps the fallen Random to his feet, and she speeds away, carrying him as she escapes, knocking a car into the air. One of the Hydra agents asks Superior Octopus if they should pursue. 'No. Let her flee back into the arms of her mutant brethren... we have what we need' Superior Octopus replies as he looks down at Sunfire. Several Hydra agents gather around as a car that is alight blazes before them at the demolished border, and Superior Octopus announces that the border is secure.
Meanwhile, at the Hydra High Council Chambers-'The border is not secure!' Arnim Zola exclaims as he slams a fist on the table that he and other diabolical beings sit around. They are the Hive, Kraken, Doctor Faustus, Viper, Madame Hydra, Helmut Zemo and Steve Rogers, the Supreme Leader of Hydra. Zola declares that Xorn and the mutants of New Tian are a threat. 'We must not back down from their insolence!' he tells the rest of the Council. Zola adds that he saw firsthand what mutants thought of them when he travelled there with Faustus to negotiate trade and energy treaties – they are saber-rattling and preparing for war. 'With a show of force, you'll look weak and cowardly' Zola tells Steve Rogers. Madame Hydra gets to her feet and snaps 'How dare you speak to your Supreme Leader in such a fashion! I will -' she begins, but Steve Rogers calmly tells everyone to stay seated, and that there will be no violence. He adds that Zola is free to voice his opinion.
Zemo tells Rogers that Zola's tone is melodramatic, but that he seems to be correct. Zemo informs Rogers that the mutant prisoner they captured has already made a statement to the press, and it is damning to say the least. 'Roll 212...' Zemo orders, and footage appears on a screen above the conference table, where a reporter states that when asked about his role in the attack, Mr Yoshida, also known as “Sunfire” was quite direct. The footage shows Sunfire wearing a prison jumpsuit and led down a corridor by Hydra agents, before he turns to the camera and declares that this is only the beginning, and that mutants will not stay in a forced reservation. 'Mutants will destroy the Hydra Nation!' Sunfire adds that when mutants are victorious, human bodies will litter the street. Someone ends the playback. 'We get the point' they remark.
Viper asks if there has been any formal response from Xorn or his representatives, to which Kraken states that they claim no responsibility for the attack, but are also not condemning it. Doctor Faustus suggests that it is either an insurgent group within New Tian or a sanction strike meant to test their resolve before launching a full-scale assault. He adds that regardless of the source, they must respond. Still calm, Rogers tells the Council that they will not retaliate with force – not yet. He then instructs Helmut to beef up border security and double the numbers of Dreadnought patrols throughout the region. 'As you command' Zemo replies, while Viper and Madame Hydra appear surprised. Steve Rogers then announces that Sunfire's trial will play out in the public eye, that the footage of his attack will be more than enough to put him away for life and brand the mutant movement as terrorists.
Kraken suggests that striking a balance between security and benevolence is the key. 'Preposterous! You expose our belly to the enemy! What kind of insane -' Zola begins, but Kraken tells him to watch his tone. Rogers grits his teeth and reminds his Council that they already fought one war to get where they are and points out that it cost all of them a great deal of pain and suffering. He assures them that he will not see the peace they worked so hard to achieve crumble over something like this. 'Let's hope New Tian feels the same...' Rogers adds.
At that moment, in Xorn's throne room in New Tian, Xorn, the King of New Tian, sits on his throne, with several of his advisors around him – Warren Worthington III a.k.a. Archangel, Henry McCoy a.k.a. The Beast and Sebastian Shaw. They watch another recording, where a reporter states that Mr Yoshida's trial date is being fast-tracked to ensure justice prevails throughout the Hydra Nation. 'A fascinating turn of events' Xorn tells the others. 'You say “fascinating”, I say “horrifying”. They're using it as a PR stunt while we take the blame' the Beast replies. Archangel reports that there has been a sudden spike of violence on the streets of New Tian and that tension is rising at an alarming  rate among humans and mutants in a way he can't account for.
Shaw tells the others that of course people are angry – they are neighbors with a country run by a super-soldier tyrant. 'If Hydra wants to make us the enemy, I say we oblige them... rip their fascist hearts out' Shaw declares.
The Beast admits that Shiro has a short fuse, but remarks that this attack doesn't make sense. 'Why would he throw his life away for such a petty symbolic gesture? Whom does it benefit?' the Beast wonders. Shaw suggests that they ask Sunfire's accomplices, and enquires as to whether there has been any sign of Frenzy or Random. 'Nothing' Archangel reports. The Beast realizes that if Shiro spouts more “down with Hydra” rhetoric on the stand, things will get ugly. He tells the others that he could attempt to negotiate Shiro's release so they could try him here for his crimes, but realizes that then they will look culpable. Hank adds that he hates all of this, and declares that he just wants to keep people safe any way he can.
Xorn tells his advisors that whether Shiro did this of his own accord or was manipulated into it, they cannot let Hydra control the narrative, and announces that they must send in a team to bring him back. 'The Sleepers and I an pierce their defenses and -' Archangel offers, but Xorn interrupts him: 'No. you are too visibly associated with New Tian's leadership. The risk outweighs the reward' he explains, before turning to Shaw. 'My liege?' Shaw responds. Xorn instructs him to assemble a team of capable-but-expendable mutants for this mission, and informs him that he will strike tonight. 'Bring Sunfire to me so I can determine who put him up to this, or kill him myself...' Xorn orders.
Soon, Sebastian Shaw stands before four frowning mutants – Illyana Rasputin a.k.a. Magik, Tabitha Smith a.k.a. Boom-Boom, Guido Carosella a.k.a. Strong Guy and the woman known only as Sarah a.k.a. Marrow. Shaw tells them that “Stealth” is their watchword, and that they must procure Sunfire from the holding facility where he is being kept and escape without being seen. 'Sounds good to me, but how're we s'posed to be sneaky with Big Guy here walking around?' Boom-Boom asks, motioning to Guido. 'The name's “Strong Guy”. “Big Guy” is my second cousin' Guido jokes. Shaw looks at Magik and explains that is why she will be accompanying them. Magik smiles and reports that the force field Hydra put around the Earth has blocked her ability to teleport them to their target, but that she has got other useful spells at her disposal.
A circle of flame suddenly surrounds Magik's feet as she utters 'Alignment corrected, and presence protected, with these ancient wards, my friends undetected'. An instant later, everyone finds themselves with a transparent appearance. 'Well, that's creepy' Strong Guy remarks. Boom-Boom and Marrow examine their own bodies, while Magik tells everyone to stay close to her that they will be fine.
Shortly, in the Hydra detention facility, level 8 – maximum security. 'Geez... this kinda feels like cheating' Strong Guy tells the others as they walk past several Hydra agents undetected. 'All that matters are results' Shawreplies. Locating Sunfire's cell, Shaw tells Guido that once he smashes in the door, the entire facility will go on high alert, so they need to grab Shiro and get out of here as quickly as possible. 'You got it' Strong Guy replies. Readying a plasma time-bomb, Boom-Boom announces that she will make sure there are plenty of distractions to keep these bozos busy. 'Here goes...' Strong Guy begins, as he pulls his fist back – but as he is about to smash the door down a voice calls out, 'did you really think you could enter our lands unnoticed?' 'Oh crap' Magik mutters as she and the others lose their undetectability protection. 'I sensed your presence the instant you crossed the border, little demon...' Wanda Maximoff a.k.a. The Scarlet Witch, currently possessed by the spirit of Chthon, the Elder God of Evil, declares. She is flanked by several other members of Hydra's Avengers – Wade Wilson a.k.a. Deadpool, the android Vision and the Taskmaster.
Shaw instructs Guido to get Sunfire while the rest of them take care of this. 'Okie-dokie' Guido replies as he rips the wall open. Marrow holds two bone blades, while Magik readies her Soulsword and Boom-Boom is about to toss a time-bomb. 'Is this gonna be like one od those hot prison riot movies? I flipping love those!' Deadpool, currently following the orders of Steve Rogers, remarks. The Taskmaster, who works for the highest bidder – currently Hydra – goes over to Shaw and tells him that he doesn't know what Ren Faire he escaped from, and calling him “Mr Darcty” tells him that he is going down, as he slams his shield into Shaw's face. The Scarlet Witch levitates above Magik and tells Illyana that she shall enjoy destroying her and taking her soul weapon. 'Get stuffed, you old hag!' Illyana retorts as she uses her sword to deflect a magical blast that the Scarlet Witch throws towards her.
'Tick tick' Boom-Boom jokes as she throws two time-bombs at the Vision. 'Hey, no fair!' she complains when the Vision, who is currently under the control of Hydra, phases, and the plasma bombs pass right through him. The Vision tells the sassy mutant that she is trespassing on Hydra territory and that she should submit to authority or be rendered inert. 'Marrow?' Deadpool calls  out as he flips backwards, dodging her foot as she attempts to kick him. 'They must've been pretty hard up to get you on this mission... bone blades are soooo late 20th Century, amiright?' Deadpool exclaims as both of his swords clang against Marrow's bone blades. 'Shut up!' Marrow shouts. 'Sword and shield do not a warrior make!' Shaw declares as he uses excessive force, slamming Taskmaster back into a wall. He tells the mutants not to let their foes isolate them, and to switch opponents. 'Weak!' Deadpool utters as Marrow kicks him in the face, while she tosses a bone blade at the Scarlet Witch – striking Wanda in her back.
Magik leaps towards the Vision, Soulsword pointed at him while the states that attacking with physical weaponry is a pointless endeavor. 'By altering my molecular structure I can -' the Vision begins, but Magik isn't interested, she shoves her sword through his stomach, boasting 'My Soulsword is more powerful than your molecular hoo-ha!' she tells him, while the Vision states uttering the binary code over and over. Boom-Boom meanwhile grabs the back of Deadpool's pants and tosses several time-bombs into them. 'Whoa, lady! Deadpool exclaims. 'Pulling pants is against the super hero code of conduct, and -' he begins, while Boom-Boom remarks 'Tick tick -' and an instant later, the time-bombs explode. 'Uncool!' Deadpool calls out as he is blasted into the air.
'You fools will be punished for harming my physical vessel!' Chthon calls out through the Scarlet Witch, who reaches back and pulls the bone blade from her back. 'Maybe, but not today' Sunfire tells her as he emerges from his cell and blasts a fiery blaze at the Scarlet Witch, who screams. Taskmaster's eyes glow as he holds his sword and remarks 'That sucker punch was pretty good, pal, but now I'm ready for...for...ah, forget it' he decides as he sees the unimpressed mutants have regrouped and are ready for round two. The Taskmaster drops his weapons and tells the mutants to get out of here, as he is not being paid enough for this #$&%.
The next morning, the Hydra High Council are gathered around the meeting room table, and Steve Rogers grits his teeth. 'Run this by me again...give c-grade mutants broke into our high-security facility, handily defeated the Avengers and sprung Sunfire?' he asks, unimpressed. 'That's correct' Viper confirms, adding that the Scarlet Witch is currently healing through mystical means, and is just more angry than injured at this point, while the Vision is undergoing repairs as they speak, and Deadpool and Taskmaster have returned to active duty. 'This cannot be ignored, Rogers! We must retaliate and put these foul mutants in their place!' Zola declares. Steve Rogers gets to his feet and announces that he agrees. 'Finally!' Zola exclaims, before the Council look surprised as Rogers informs them that he is going to contact Hank McCoy and meet with Xorn in person.
Later, on the border of New Tian and the Hydra Nation, where Hydra soldiers have both of their hands in their air, inside a limo, Hank McCoy sits opposite Steve Rogers, who is dressed in his Captain America costume, instead of his green Hydra garb that he had been wearing earlier. The Beast tells Cap that it looks like he is spoiling for a fight. 'Astute as always, Hank' Steve replies, before the Beast asks how it got to this. 'Simple. You picked the wrong side' Steve tells him. Hank narrows his eyes and tells Steve that he can't mean that. 'Steve... it's Hydra' to which Cap points out that it is the better world they have been fighting for. Hank hangs his head and thinks on this.
Later still, Xorn sits motionless on his throne deep within New Tian. 'King Xorn' a voice calls out. 'Yes?' Xorn asks. 'I present to you Steve Rogers...Supreme Leader of the Hydra Nation' the Beast announces as he hangs back while Steve approaches Xorn. 'He...he insisted on meeting you alone' the Beast explains. 'How bold' Xorn comments as he stands up from his throne. Xorn tells Hank that he may leave. 'As you wish...' Hank replies, bowing as he closes the throne room doors. Steve remains silent as he looks up at Xorn who stands on the steps that lead to his throne. Neither man says anything, before Cap smirks and calls out 'You can come out now... Emma'.
The powerful psychic Emma Frost, wanted for crimes against mutants and Inhumans, steps out from behind the throne, which Xorn slumps back into, his head hanging forward, he says nothing as Emma tells Steve 'Walking right into the heart of my kingdom all by yourself... you're really pushing your luck, Mr Supreme Leader'.
Cap tells Emma that when she said she could secretly control Xorn and keep the mutant population in line, he wondered if she had bitten off more than she could chew. 'Now you think you can attack us and get away with it?' he asks. 'Not at all' Emma replies. Hands on hips, she admits that she did send a strike team to retrieve Sunfire, but that was only to confirm her suspicions about the cause of this clash between their sovereign nations. 'Look what I found buried deep within Shiro's mind' Emma remarks, projecting Shiro's memory of Doctor Faustus and Arnim Zola who gave Sunfire, Frenzy and Random the instructions to drive to the border and stay inconspicuous and not to engage until they arrived, where, once they met the target, they were to attack and with all their might cry forth “Death to Hydra” mutants fight for freedom. Down with the fascist regime”.
Cap watches the memory but says nothing. Emma tells him that he has wolves in his henhouse – two of his own, stoking the fire under the guise of diplomacy, trying to push them into a war. She suggests to Steve that he take care of them. 'It will be dealt with' Steve tells her. Emma switches to her diamond form as she tells Cap that she looks forward to continued trade and prosperity between their countries. 'As do I' Cap replies as he walks out of the throne room, the door clicking closed behind him. Emma puts a hand on Xorn's head, and remarks that “Captain Hydra” is always so smug – forcing mutants into a makeshift “kingdom”, trying to bar them from their inheritance. 'You think it's all under control. Just you wait...I'm full of surprises' Emma smirks, holding up a glowing blue stone.
Later, Captain America poses for a press-conference, where a  reporter announces that in confronting it head-on, their fearless leader has turned the tide in tense relations with New Tian. The Hydra High Council watches footage in awe, as the reporter reveals that in addition to de-escalating violence between their nations, their supreme leader also brokered several new trade treaties and inspected the site of a possible energy pipeline, and that in their laterst polls, the Supreme Leader's popularity has soared to a new high.
The door to the chamber opens, and Steve Rogers, once again in his green Hydra outfit, appears. 'Supreme Leader! You honor us with your presence' Viper tells him. The Council all stand up, 'Hail Hydra!' they exclaim as Steve sits down, then tells the Council that they may sit. 'Steven, if I may...' Zemo begins. 'Of course, Zemo. My friend. Speak freely' Steve tells him. Zemo announces that all of them are thrilled to see a peaceful resolution to recent events, he can't help but feel that he put himself in unnecessary danger. 'It was a risk that paid off, but a risk nonetheless...' Zemo points out. 'You are the Supreme Leader. You embody Hydra's ideals. If something had happened to you...' Madame Hydra begins. 'It was a risk, but one I was willing to take in order to advance our shared goals' Rogers explains, adding that no one person can embody all that Hydra is, not even the Supreme Leader. He looks at Zola and Faustus as he adds that all of them must know their place and serve – loyally and humbly. Slamming his fist onto the table, a very serious Steve Rogers adds '... or be destroyed for the betterment of the nation!'