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Provide a full summary of the comic book.

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The Road to Hel…
Asgard. The dimension ruled by the Norse Gods. A warp, created by Hela the Death Goddess of Hel has now separated Valhalla, stronghold of the now-suborned Valkyries, from the rest of Asgard. In attempting to escape with his teammates the New Mutants, the alien Warlock has become lodged in the warp itself. He holds in his arms the loud-mouth Tabitha “Boom-Boom” Smith, and the native of Asgard Hrimhari the Wolf-Prince. Boom-Boom asks Warlock what happened and why he has stopped. Hrimhari replies that that is clear to anyone who has eyes - he is stuck! Hrimhari then asks Warlock where the others are.
Warlock tries to squeeze out of the portal, replying that the others are still on the other side, but he cannot say how they are because he cannot feel anything. Boom-Boom asks what Warlock is stuck in, ‘Looks shiny…like plastic or something!’ she exclaims as she pushes her feet against the warp and telling Hrimhari to do the same. But Hrimhari warns Boom-Boom not to touch it - too late though, as a surge of energy courses through all of them. Boom-Boom’s hair now sticks up and Hrimhari’s entire furry body has gone frizzy.
Angry, Hrimhari tells Boom-Boom that Warlock is stuck in a power-warp - as any Asgardian child could see! Boom-Boom replies that she is not Asgardian, before exclaiming that she hates this place. ‘Give me New York with its muggers and subways and the occasional demon invasion any day!’ Suddenly, Tabby exclaims ‘Wait - you said power warp right?’ and declares that power means energy, which she has plenty of. She begins creating a time bomb, exclaiming that she will just, like, toss it into the warp and perhaps it will short out. Tabby asks Warlock if he has a hold of them, before telling Hrimhari to put his hands to his ears as it’s going to be real big and loud.
Hrimhari mutters that the time bomb will not free them, but that it will certainly draw Hela’s attention to them. Boom-Boom replies that whatever happens it cannot be worse than dangling here like bait on a hook, ‘This whole place sucks pickled eggs! I hate it here!’ Boom-Boom shouts before the time-bomb connects with the warp field, causing a massive explosion.
Meanwhile, within Valhalla, the Valkyries’ stronghold, Cannonball, Sunspot, Rictor and Wolfsbane stand captive before one of Hela’s minions, the dark Valkyrie called Mist. Mist holds her sword out towards the New Mutants, telling the young mutant heroes that they have proved by their interference in matters that do not concern them that they are most eager to confront the Death Goddess, her mistress Hela, and offers to take them to her. The group suddenly hear the mighty boom and Mist asks what it was. Rahne “Wolfsbane” Sinclair points out that it sounded like one of Boom-Boom’s time bombs, to which Sam “Cannonball” Guthrie remarks that whatever it was, it has distracted Mist, and he blasts towards her, knocking her to the ground.
Mist calls Cannonball a fool and asks him what he is doing. Whispering, she tells Sam that Hela is watching and to follow her lead. She suggests he allow her to capture him and then perhaps she can save them all. Mist then forces Sam back over to his teammates, careening into Bobby “Sunspot” DaCosta and Julio “Rictor” Richter. Cannonball whispers to his teammates, informing them that Mist is not what she seems and that they need to play along with her, as it is their only chance. ‘Not again!’ Sunspot exclaims, before asking his best friend if he wants them to trust that…thing! Rictor points out that Sam was right about the dwarves, but that he also know them, so why would Mist want to help them? Sam just tells his friends to shush.
Mist looks upwards and calls to “Dark and glorious” Hela, proclaiming that she has snared the New Mutants for her. Mist asks Hela if she is pleased with her faithful servant. Hela suddenly appears, along with Danielle “Mirage” Moonstar, also of the New Mutants, who is now under Hela’s spell, and some creatures. Hela congratulates Mist, pointing out that she has succeeded in capturing the New Mutants where her other servants have failed. There is another boom, and Hela remarks that the mortals who have escaped her dire wrath are discontent with their success, and persist in their vain efforts to destroy her warp. She turns to her winged creatures and orders them to go after the escaped mortals, ‘Make them cease their annoying clamor and bring them back to me - alive or dead, I care not which!’
High above the pre-occupied Warlock, the sinister creatures begin to appear. Warlock exclaims that, for an instant, he felt the warp loosen, and suggests to Boom-Boom that one more massive barrage and perhaps he can pull free. Boom-Boom turns to Hrimhari and boasts that her time bombs do work, when suddenly one of the creatures flies over to them and grabs her. Tabby screams, though manages to toss her time bomb to the warp, while Hrimhari reminds Boom-Boom that he warned her that her explosions could draw Hela’s attention. ‘Everybody’s a critic!’ Tabby mutters before suggesting Hrimhari close his ears, as she made a lot of time bombs, and tosses another into the mouth of one of the creatures.
Boom-Boom calls up to Warlock, suggesting he pull out, and he does, flinging himself away from the force field with Boom-Boom and Hrimhari still attached to him. Warlocks shifts his form into a rocket of sorts so that they can fly away quicker, while Boom-Boom looks back to the warp and asks where the others are. Hrimhari points out that they are clearly gone, and now captives within Hela’s warp. ‘So what do we do now?’ Boom-Boom mumbles, to which Warlock reminds them that they are surrounded by monsters, so perhaps they must tend to them first? Hrimhari agrees, and adds that their next move is to journey to Lord Odin and warn him of Hela’s treachery. Hrimhari declares that Odin is Lord of Asgard and will aid them gladly. Tabby begins dropping time bombs on all of the creatures as Warlock flies around and asks Hrimhari if he wants her to leave her friends stuck in there with those things. ‘Just the attitude I expected from a walking shag rug’ she mumbles.
Warlock begins firing at the creatures while Hrimhari grabs Boom-Boom by her suspenders and asks her if she thinks he would leave Rahne in Hela’s clutches if he had the merest hope that the might save her alone? ‘I tell thee, Hela is too powerful!’ he exclaims. Boom-Boom begins to protest until Warlock declares that he will settle this argument - and does so by flying away faster than the horrid creatures can keep up, thinking it better that they escape so that they might live to save the others. Hrimhari points in the direction for Warlock to go, adding that he must fly quickly as they have little time.
Meanwhile, in the courtyard of Valhalla, Hela’s prisoners are prodded, one by one, through a transport warp to the gates of Hel! Sunspot tells Cannonball that it was bad enough they lest themselves be captured by the dwarves, but only because they knew they could count on Eitri, however, as Bobby points out, they do not know anything about this supposedly uncorrupted Valkyrie, and he thinks it is a trick. Sam replies that it might be, but that he doesn’t think so. He adds that from what Hela said, the others got away.
Mist holds her sword towards the New Mutants as she walks behind them into Hel, while another warrior takes the front of the line. Several others walk behind mist. Sam whispers to his friends that if Mist really is on their side, then perhaps they can hold the fort here in Hel until the others bring help from the outside. Up the line, Wolfsbane calls out, ‘Oh, no - look!’ Suddenly, a voice cries ‘Garm welcomes you to the jaws of Hel!’ The New Mutants stop in their tracks as they stare up at the massive “guard dog” before them.
Garm assures the New Mutants that they need not fear him, for they are safe from his jaws, for now. He informs the New Mutants that he follows Hela’s will, and therefore will not harm them as they enter, but that if they should try to escape, then that will be another matter! One of the warriors pushes Rahne forward, telling her to get going, and warning her that the journey will be long and filled with horrors, Garm is just the first.
Rictor sees the warrior poking Rahne with his spear and turns to the warrior, telling him to quick poking Rahne. Rictor then comes between Rahne and the warrior, ‘Leave her alone, we’ll go when we’re ready!’ Rictor exclaims, before grabbing the spear and using his vibro-powers to shatter it. Rictor puts his arms around Rahne and remarks that he was worried when Boom-Boom was separated from them, but that he is glad she is not here to see this. ‘Old dog breath’s pretty horrible, isn’t he?’ Rictor jokes.
Solemnly, Rahne reveals that, sometimes, when she looks in the mirror, she thinks she sees that face, the Devil’s face, looking at her. Rictor tells Rahne not to look at Garm, to think instead about where they are, to talk about something else. Together, they walk under Garm, and Rahne tells Rictor that he is right, that she will not look at him, instead she remarks how at least her Wolf-Prince, Warlock and Boom-Boom are safe. Rahne then asks Julio if he really likes Boom-Boom, and asks if Boom-Boom is aware of that. ’No way’ Rictor replies, ’She’d figure if I was dumb enough to like her, I wouldn’t be worth having as a boyfriend’.
Rahne exclaims ‘What do you mean, Rictor, like her? She…she’s always bragging…and showing off. She thinks she’s great!’ Rahne exclaims. ‘Does she?’ Rictor asks, before suggesting to Rahne that she doesn’t let Boom-Boom’s noise fool her, as Tabby hides behind it, uses it to keep people from getting close. Rictor adds that Boom-Boom is scared to death of Asgard, so he is glad that friends are with her, that she isn’t out there alone….
Elsewhere, Warlock speeds towards Asgard proper, and Hrimhari exclaims that Odin dwells there, in a massive palace. Trying to outrun, or rather outfly, the creatures, Warlock enters the sprawling city and exclaims that he sees many palaces. Hrimhari tells Warlock to go straight ahead, to the window with blazing light, as that is Lord Odin’s chamber. Warlock tells his friends to keep their heads down, and he crashes through the glass window, the creatures all smack into the side of the castle.
Boom-Boom looks over to a bed where a rather large man is sleeping, ‘That’s Odin? I can’t believe he slept through all that!’ she exclaims, before asking her allies what they are waiting for, ‘Let’s wake him up!’ Hrimhari suggests Boom-Boom approach Odin humbly, for he is powerful and quick to anger. All three of them approach the bedside, and Hrimhari quietly addresses Odin, and asks him to awaken. Hrimhari informs Odin that they bring him news of terrible danger - that the Valkyries have been suborned by Hela.
Hrimhari begins to explain what else is happening, when suddenly a guard grabs them, ‘What have we here?’ the guard asks, ‘A cur, a mechanical man-thing and a mortal wench!’ Boom-Boom tells the guard to put them down, as Asgard is in trouble and they have to wake him up! ‘Foolish mortal!’ the guard exclaims, before remarking that as everyone loyal to Odin knows, Lord Odin is preparing for the Odin Sleep and cannot be disturbed. ‘The Odin Sleep?’ Hrimhari asks, before exclaiming that this news has not travelled as far as his land.
The guard asks Hrimhari where that land is, and Hrimhari introduces himself as the Wolf-Prince of the Enchanted Forest. The guard jokes that he is the king of trolls, and tells Hrimhari that he is talking nonsense, before proceeding to carry the unlikely trio away, remarking that they are no doubt some conjuring of evil Loki’s, and deciding that he shall imprison them so that Balder the Brave can deal with them when he returns.
The road to Hel is dark, steep and difficult, even for the dwarves. No one expects the mortal New Mutants to be able to keep up the pace. Guarded by the Valkyrie mist, they are allowed to linger far behind, until, suddenly, Mist motions to a crevice off the path and tells the New Mutants to go into it quickly. Sunspot however turns to Mist and tells her to stop right there, as they have gone far enough and now want some answers. ‘Answers, mortal? What?’ Mist begins until she is overcome with pain and stumbles to the ground. Rahne goes over to her, asking what the matter is, to which Mist replies that the pain is good, as it is a sign her body, her soul, is fighting Hela’s spell.
Cannonball remarks that the spell infected the other Valkyries, Dani included, to which Mist reveals that she has fairy blood on her mother’s side, therefore she can somewhat resist Hela’s magic. Mist announces that she had hoped to escape and warn Lord Odin herself, but now their three friends will have to do that, while the proceed to release those that are imprisoned here. Sunspot declares that Mist is taking a big chance, and asks her what is in it for her. ‘Bobby!’ Cannonball exclaims with disapproval of the blunt comment. Getting to her feet though, Mist remarks that it is Sunspot’s right to ask, and reveals that she seeks freedom, release from pain - for Asgard and herself. Mist asks them to come along with her, as she knows a warp short-cut into Hela’s palace, but they must hurry.
Meanwhile, at the Asgardian homestead of the Volstagg the Great, five small figures clamber from a turret window. The comet seemed to streak into Lord Odin’s chamber!’ one of the children exclaims. Another of them tells Hildy to look, motioning to the dragons that are swirling around. One of the kids tells Kev that something strange and terrible has happened, and points out that their father, Hogun and Fandral are all away. ‘And Balder too!’ another child adds. Reaching the street, the child called Signe exclaims that the safety of the realm is in their hands, and remarks that they must be quiet and careful, for as honorable as their intent is, they do not have their mothers permission to be out. ’So quit yakking Signe and come quickly!’ another child exclaims, leading the way.
Moments later, Boom-Boom, Warlock and Hrimhari are thrown into a dungeon cell. ‘Ouch!’ exclaims Boom-Boom as she lands hard on the stone ground. She turns to Hrimhari and remarks that the Odin Sleep thing is a real pain, and asks what it means. Hrimhari replies that it is difficult to explain to a mortal, but that controlling the dimension of Asgard requires a massive outlay of energy, and recently Lord Odin has fought both the flame demon Surtur and the evil Annihilus, and was more exhausted than he has been in living memory, so now, Odin sleeps a godly sleep and no one can know when he will awaken.
‘So, like….shouldn’t we escape, or something?’ Boom-Boom asks. Hrimhari replies that they should remain here until Balder returns, for he is the noblest of the Gods and will believe them and know what to do, even though he might fail against Death herself. ‘Wait? Here? But…for how long?’ Tabby asks. Hrimhari replies ‘Not long’ he hopes, as he worries about Rahne and the others. ‘So…is Rahne your girl friend?’ Tabby asks. Hrimhari replies that he wishes that it could be possible, but as they come from different worlds, they have different responsibilities. He remarks that now even this short time together has been snatched from them, and he would gladly face death to have Rahne at his side.
‘This is so dumb. I can’t believe I’m having a serious discussion about relationships with a werewolf!’ Rahne thinks to herself, before proclaiming once again that she hates it here. She declares that it is like a nightmare version of the Wizard of Oz, only there is no Good Witch - just one horror after another! Tabby exclaims that she would give her entire Def Lepard collection for a pair of ruby slippers and the chance to click her heels and go home…. Suddenly, a voice from the small window high in the cell that leads to the street outside exclaims ‘We can’t promise you ruby slippers, but maybe we can help?’
Tabby, Warlock and Hrimhari look up and see five small children staring back at them, one of them addresses Hrimhari and asks who he is and what a mortal and a robot are doing with him in Asgard. Boom-Boom introduces herself and Warlock, explaining that he is a robot, not an alien, and that they are members of the New Mutants. She motions to Hrimhari and tells the kids that his name is the Wolf Prince “Harry“. Tabby adds that they don’t know how they got to Asgard but that they do know it is in trouble from Hela.
One of the kids replies that they heard that, as they were eavesdropping, before asking “Harry” if he is really Hrimhari of the wolves. Another of the children remarks that Hogun told takes of the wolves’ exploits but that most of the adults do not believe they exist. Hrimhari replies that Hogun the Grim has long been a friend of his people, to which one of the kids asks if they can really escape. Boom-Boom replies that she thinks they can, but that they don’t want to, as the people they want to see will be right here in Asgard.
The girl Hildy informs them that it wont be for a while, as Volstagg, their father, and the Warriors Three are off on a mission with the Mighty Thor, and Balder is visiting the Norn Queen, Karnilla. Hildy points out like Hrimhari has already said, even they, the mighty heroes might not be powerful enough to defeat Hela. However, Hildy reveals that if they can escape, then she knows someone who might be powerful enough to aid them - if he so chooses. Boom-Boom replies that they are game, ‘We’re desperate enough to try anything!’ she exclaims, warning the kids to stand back, then tosses a time bomb up to the window.
Warlock shifts his form into some stairs for Boom-Boom and Hrimhari to walk up, while one of the kids remarks that Thor told them a tale of a giant recluse, an Asgardian sorcerer who lives in the Nastrond, at the edge of the icy waste and who can bring ice statues to life. Another of the kids explains that the sorcerer’s name is Tiwaz and that Thor said he was the most powerful and mysterious being he had ever met, next to the all-father Odin himself. The kids remark that they have a rope and shall snail climb down into the cell and await their in Hrimhari’s place, as hostages for good behavior and to emphasize the seriousness of the danger. Hildy adds that they will tail their father, Hogun and Balder as soon as they return.
Hrimhari bows before the children, informing them that Hogun has told his people of the courage and honor of the children of Volstagg, but that he never thought he would have the pleasure of being in their debt. Hrimhari tells the kids that they have earned his admiration and gratitude, and that of all his people. Boom-Boom watches the scene and thinks that perhaps all of Asgard isn’t as bad as terrible as she thought, even though here it seems a Wolf-Prince is worth more than her. Warlock turns himself into a small flying boat and tells his friends to come along, as the time for speeches is over, as he is registering Hela’s bat-things swarming nearby, so if they are to make their escape, they need to make it now!
Meanwhile, back on Earth, Rusty Collins and Sally Blevins a.k.a. Skids are two New Mutants who were left behind on Earth, and are still contending with Freedom Force. Mystique, the ruthless leader of Freedom Force tells Skids that she is trapped like that, and has been for hours, pointing out that she is thirsty, hungry and tired. ‘Lower your force field and come out!’ she orders. Rusty holds onto his exhausted girlfriend while Sally tells Mystique to forget it, as they only reason they want the two of them is because they know their secret, ‘You have the mutant children’ Sally exclaims, before collapsing. ‘SKIDS!’ Rusty shouts, holding onto her still as he unleashes a burst of flame and telling Freedom Force to keep back.
Suddenly Pyro steps forward and takes control of Rusty’s flames, ‘Don’t even think of using your flame against us, Rusty. Remember…what flame you create, I can control!’ Rusty admits that Pyro wins, and the Blob goes over to the former leader of the X-Terminators and grabs him, assuring Rusty that this is not some place he can escape from despite his flame power. Calling Skids a bimbo, Blob remarks that she has her own cell her too as an accessory to a crime. ‘Crime? What crime?’ Rusty asks the grip of the Blob. ‘She helped you resist arrest, didn’t she?’ the Blob remarks, before assuring Rusty that he will not be able to escape this joint, as it is no wimpy Naval prison….
Meanwhile, back in Hel, Mist leads the way through the cavern and the New Mutants follow her quickly. Mist informs them that Hela’s throne room is right ahead, to which Cannonball asks what they will do next. Mist motions in the direction of the dungeons with the prisoners that they must release, when Rahne suddenly tells everyone to hush and get back into the shadows, as someone is coming. Rictor sees the Dwarf Lord, Eitri being forced along, and some of his people carrying a large cauldron with some kind of molten metal in it.
Mist explains that the metal is Uru, and remarks that the fairy blood in her body shudders at its passing, even as the Asgardian in her soul sings. Mist reveals that it is from such metal that Eitri forged the hammer of Thor, adding that Uru does not belong in icy Hel, meaning its presence here bodes evil for all of Asgard. She declares that they must follow so they can learn more of Hela’s dark purpose.
Lit by forge-light, Hela waits in her throne room, watching as the Uru is poured from the cauldron into a small pit in the ground. Hela addresses Eitri as Master Forger and tells him that he will use the Uru metal to forge for her a mighty sword, the ultimate weapon. Eitri replies that although Hela is the Mistress of Hel, he will not obey her. Hela warns Eitri to defy her at his own peril - and the peril of those he loves. At that moment, a Valkyrie enters the throne room and tosses Eitri’s daughter onto the ground, just as Hela had asked. Eitri calls out to his daughter, while Cannonball begins to rush forward to Kindra, held back by his teammates as he remarks that Kindra is gentle and full of fun, and nursed him back to health when he was hurt last time he was here. Sunspot tells Sam not to go, as he will get them captured, ‘What good will we be to her then?’ he asks.
Hela looms over Kindra, and the young dwarf maiden tells Hela to do her worse, ‘Death itself will not force my cooperation!’ she exclaims. Hela calls Kindra a foolish child and that it is not her cooperation that she desires. Hela turns to Eitri and tells him to forge her the sword she desires, or else she will give his daughter, living, to her creatures to do with as they will. Kindra tells her father that he must not give in, when suddenly a warrior takes hold of her and she screams.
Meanwhile, Warlock flies Boom-Boom and Hrimhari towards the icy wastes, and Boom-Boom alerts him to the fact that the flying creatures are gaining on them. Hrimhari realizes that Boom-Boom is shivering, and tells her not to fear, as they have nearly reached their goal. Boom-Boom calls Hrimhari “Dog-breath” and tells him that she isn’t shivering because she is scared, just cold. ‘Everybody doesn’t own a fu coat, you know!’ she snaps at him. Warlock replies that he is afraid, before exclaiming that the monsters are almost upon them and in this cold he cannot go any faster, so he asks what he should do.
Hrimhari motions towards some icy rocks and instructs Warlock to steer for them, before asking Boom-Boom to make the biggest time bomb she can make. ‘Yeah? And like…who died and left you in charge?’ Boom-Boom replies. Hrimhari reminds her that he is a prince of Asgard, to which Tabby snaps ‘And I’m a mutant from Earth!’ Hrimhari assures Boom-Boom that they are both mighty, but that they are both in trouble. He reminds her that not just them alone, but all of Asgard, all of their friends, are counting on them. ‘And we have to work together, or else. Yeah, you’re right. Sorry’ Boom-Boom replies, before creating a time bomb and telling Hrimhari that he shouldn’t be so bossy all the time.
Warlock exclaims that the creatures are almost upon them, so Hrimhari asks Boom-Boom if he may take her time bomb and hurl it with all of his Asgardian might. ‘Okay, but hurry!’ Boom-Boom replies, informing him that the big ones are unstable and likely to blow - and indeed it does, shattering the icy caverns just as Warlock flies out. Hrimhari tells Boom-Boom that it was a magnificent time bomb worthy of the Gods themselves, and motions to all the creatures, screaming as they are buried under tons of rock and snow. Surprisingly, Boom-Boom hugs Hrimhari and thanks him before complimenting him on such a great throw. ‘If you were a mortal, I bet you could play for the Mets!’ she exclaims, while Hrimhari replies ‘High praise, my friend!’
Boom-Boom turns to Warlock, ‘Did we total those suckers or what?’ she exclaims, when suddenly Warlock flies right into a net that was set between the canyon walls. The net snaps with all of Warlock’s force and it comes loose from its moorings. Warlock exclaims that he is tangled, and losing control of his flight, he goes careening into the snow, crashing.
Back in Hel, Eitri snaps his chains and rushes over to his daughter, leaping at the warrior that was holding her, ‘Get your filthy hands off my daughter!’ he exclaims, shattering the skeleton warrior, while Hela cries out for someone to stop him. Cannonball cannot watch as two of his friends are in danger and blasts into action, ordering his teammates to follow, despite Sunspot telling him that Hela wont order Eitri’s death as he is too valuable to her. But seeing as it’s too late, Sunspot and the others follow Cannonball, ‘Let’s kick some monster butt - it’s what we do anyway!’ Bobby jokes.
The battle rages, and Rictor remarks that this is not smart, to which Rahne asks what else they can do though. Against the Hoary Hordes of Hel, even the mightiest of mutant teams must sometimes fall…and eventually, the heroes are call captured and chained together. Sunspot whispers to Cannonball that this was not one of his smarter moves, before asking if the idea was to stay out of trouble until they could figure out a plan. ‘I thought being the hot-headed herk was my job!’ Bobby adds. Sam apologizes to everyone, remarking that there is only so much injustice a man can watch before he has to take a stand, before reminding them that there is still the others.
Wolfsbane turns to Hela and boasts that their friends have escaped and have done to tell Odin what she is doing. ‘He’ll find some way to stop you!’ Rahne exclaims. ‘Will he, foolish child?’ Hela snarls as she holds up to crystals, remarking that one only needs to look into them to see that she doesn’t need to fear the all-father’s wrath, for Lord Odin sleeps his Odin Sleep and will not awaken, while their friends have been snared by her allies the frost giants.
Eitri exclaims that they are doomed indeed, to which Hela orders him to forge her sword, warning him that if he refuses to do her bidding, then firstly his daughter, then the New Mutants, one by one, will be given to her monsters. Eitri goes over to some blacksmith tools, remarking that though all of Asgard should perish, he cannot allow these innocent souls to suffer that dire fate. As he begins to work with the Uru, Eitri asks Hela to harm his friends and daughter not, as he will do as she commands.
Hela grins as she tells Eitri he made a wise choice, adding that he is to forge the blade sharp and strong. Hela remarks that although Odin’s magicks protect him, her enchantments will be stronger. Hela motions to the Valkyrie Danielle Moonstar standing beside her and declares that the sword she will wield will shatter Odin’s peace, then Odin will die, slain ignominiously by a mortal child of Migard. Hela boasts that then, Odin’s soul will belong to her, and with it, all his power. ‘And all of Asgard shall tremble at my feet!’


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

[Assistant]
The Sword’s Edge
Asgard, the dimension ruled by the Norse Gods. Asgard’s nether dimension, Hel, is ruled by the Death-Goddess, Hela, and it is she who has forced the dwarf-lord, Eitri, to forge a sorcerous Deathsword, powerful enough to slay Asgard’s ruler, Lord Odin, himself, as he sleeps his mystical Odin Sleep. The New Mutants, heroes of Earth, have thus far failed in their efforts to steal the sword and have been cast into the deadly Abyss of No Return.
Hela stands triumphant on the cliff overhanging the Abyss of No Return, and holds her deadly sword high above her head, causing all of Asgard to tremble. The possessed New Mutant Danielle “Mirage” Moonstar, herself a Valkyrie hovers overhead on her winged Asgardian horse, Brightwind, as she remarks that the fumes are noxious, so the New Mutants cannot survive down there. Moonstar exclaims that although she is glad, the small part of her that was once their friend cries out in anguished grief. Mist, a Valkyrie who was up until recently able to resist Hela’s curse, stands behind her mistress as Hela exclaims ‘Let that small part of thee, then, learn, You-Who-Were-Moonstar…that the sacred will of Hela is not to be denied!’ Hela declares that soon, Moonstar’s former comrades will be dead, and their souls will belong to her!
Down below, unseen through all the fumes and rising heat from the lava, the four New Mutants hover above the lava thanks to Sam “Cannonball” Guthrie who keeps aloft by blasting, while his teammates Bobby “Sunspot” DaCosta, Julio “Rictor” Richter and Rahne “Wolfsbane” Sinclair cling for dear life to him. Sunspot asks Rahne, in her wolfen form, if Hela and the others are still up there, to which Rahne replies they are, as she can hear them. Rahne begins to cough due to the fumes, and Sam tells her to stop talking, just to nod, but Rahne points out that are protected from the fumes by his force field.
Cannonball however remarks that the fumes are seeping in and they are all having trouble breathing, adding that her is beginning to have trouble blasting. ‘No kidding!’ mumbles Bobby as he remarks that he has a giant view of the lava lake at the bottom of this abyss and that it is coming up fast. Rahne informs Sam that it is okay now, they can go up so long as they are careful, announcing that Hela and everyone have gone, all except for a single guard. The guard, a small rock-like creature is surprised to see the four teenagers rise from the Abyss of No Return.
‘The mortals, mistress! Come back!’ the guard shouts. Hanging upside down, Sunspot informs Cannonball that there is a ledge above the opening to the cave and suggests he fly up to it, before telling Rictor to use his seismic vibes on the cliff-side where the guard is. Rictor does so, and the cliff begins to crumble. Sam jokes that if they stand Sunspot on his head then he becomes a brain surgeon and suggests they keep him this way. Bobby shushes Sam as Hela marches back out onto the cliff, ‘What is it, Shrannk? I bade thee guard!’ she exclaims when the ground beneath him crumbles and he falls into the Abyss of No Return.
‘Clumsy little oaf to stumble so near the edge!’ Hela mutters, adding that Shrannk did not deserve her faith in him, before turning to her legion and exclaiming that Asgard - and the Odin-Death await them! ‘Of all the cold-blooded witches!’ Rictor exclaims from the ledge above Hela. Sunspot remarks that it is too bad Rictor cannot use his vibro-powers on Hela and her entire army and knock them all into the abyss. Rahne remarks that would not work, but that something will, and points out that the sorcerer-giant that Boom-Boom, Warlock and her beloved wolf-prince have met up with has got Hela worried. Sam agrees, and remarks that Hela is rushing things and getting sloppy, which is the reason they are still alive, though he still can’t see how it can help them stop her entire army!
Meanwhile, in Asgard’s icy wastes, ice creatures gambol as the New Mutants Boom-Boom, Warlock and their ally the wolf-prince Hrimhari stare into an ancient crystal. Warlock exclaims that he sees Hela with Dani, but does not know what the sword is. Tiwaz, the giant sorcerer, announces that is the deceptively deadly weapon that Hela has created, a weapon which in time could threaten to fell the World Tree itself. Boom-Boom turns to Tiwaz and asks that since he is a mighty sorcerer, can’t he just wave his hand and destroy Hela. Tiwaz replies that Hela is Death herself, and not even he has the power to vanquish death entirely.
Boom-Boom a.k.a. Tabitha Smith throws her hands up into the air in frustration and exclaims that they have to do something. Tiwaz replies that it is the Fates who weave and woof their lives, before admitting that, sometimes, the strong may take the strings into their own hands and twist the future to their will, which is what Hela attempts. Tabby smiles and exclaims ‘Well, that’s what we’re gonna attempt, too!’ Warlock informs his friend that Hela is much too strong for them to stop alone, and Hrimhari remarks that Odin is still in his Odin Sleep and Thor is trapped on Earth.
Hrimhari declares that the next strongest amongst the Asgardians are Balder the Brave, and the Warriors Three, and wishes they could find Hogun the Grim. Tiwaz motions to his crystal and shows the young heroes Hogun’s location, adding that he is in dire peril. Hrimhari is shocked to see the Warriors Three as the captives of Queen Ula and her savage swarm. ‘Who?’ Boom-Boom asks. Hrimhari explains that they are trolls who live in a hive-like existence, adding that Hogun faced them on a previous adventure, and declaring that they must rescue them. ‘Trolls! Oh-boy, for a while there I was almost beginning to like Asgard!’ Boom-Boom exclaims.
Warlock asks Tiwaz if he can give him the navigation coordinates, to which Tiwaz replies that even better, he has a map. Soon, Warlock is outside in the snow and informs his friends that a storm is coming, so they must leave soon if they are to leave at all. Boom-Boom replies ’In a minute’ before turning to Tiwaz in the cave and informing him that she didn’t mean to be such a grouch earlier, and assuring him that she knows he would help if he could, adding that at least he saved them from the frost giants.
Boom-Boom remarks that they cannot expect Tiwaz to be able to do everything, ’I mean, sometimes I can’t even do everything right!’ she admits, before declaring that she, they all, will this time, and tells Tiwaz not to worry, before thanking him for everything. In a moment, Boom-Boom and Hrimhari are inside Warlock who has transformed himself into a helicopter, and Boom-Boom exclaims that Tiwaz was a nice gold guy. Warlock agrees, but points out that it is unfortunate Tiwaz is not a very powerful sorcerer after all. Watching the three heroes leave, Tiwaz remarks to his ice creatures that a mortal, a wolf-prince and a mechanical man-thing are indeed a strange coalition, at least on the surface, but ‘They’re all fruit of the World Tree, after all’.
Elsewhere, the hills surrounding Asgard’s regal capital are riche with meadows and it is here that the magical chariot-goats of Thor Odinson graze as they please. Five young children sit and stand before the two mighty goats, and the leader of the young group, Hildy, tells Toothgnasher and Toothgrinder that Hela is planning to invade Asgard, and with their master Thor away on Migard, and their own father and the Warriors Three away somewhere that they do not know, and Odin’s Vizer not believing them, depsite them warning him of danger, Hildy exclaims that they do know, however, where Balder is, visiting the sorcereress Karnilla in her kingdom in Nornheim.
Hildy tells the giant goats that she and her siblings realize that it is a great imposition, but as they can fly rapidly, ‘And we would not ask were danger less imminent…’ Hildy’s voice trails off when the two massive goats drop to their knees. ‘They understand!’ one of Hildy’s siblings exclaims. ‘They want us to climb on their backs!’ another declares. Hildy tells the goats that they thank them most graciously. As the two goats take to the air, one of the kids tells Kev to hold on tightly, and another asks their goat if they are pulling on their fur.
Never before have children anywhere experienced such a ride, but finally, it is over, and the goats circle towards Karnilla’s castle. Kev exclaims that there are peasants working in the field, but points out that they are very gray, so must be dirty, however when he waves to them, he notices that they do not wave back, or even move at all. Hildy explains that the sorcerer-frost giant Utgard-Loki attacked this kingdom and changed its people to stone. Hildy adds that although Balder defeated Utgard-Loki, Utgard-Loki was unable to undo the damage.
One of the children notices someone moving, and as Toothgnasher and Toothgrinder fly over towards the movement, the kids see that it is Balder, and that Karnilla is with him. Hildy begins crying out to Balder, who is holding Karnilla in his arms as they lie under a tree. Balder looks up and sees Hildy and asks her what she is doing here, not to mention with Thor’s goats. The kids all jump off the goats and Hildy exclaims that the wolf-prince Hrimhari told them that Hela has suborned the Valkyries and imprisoned the Einherjar. Kev adds that Hela has armed her legions of the dead and plans to invade Asgard.
The handsome Balder exclaims that this is grave news, and grabbing his sword declares that he must return at once with the children. ‘To fight against all of Hel, with the Einherjar and Valkyries helpless slaves of Hela? Surely it will end in thy defeat, my love, and death!’ Karnilla exclaims. Karnilla goes over to one of her people, transformed to stone, she wishes she could send her people too, armed, for surely Hela threatens everyone. Karnilla remarks that she had held such hopes for her last effort to restore them, but it was not to be, and stone they remain. Karnilla exclaims that she cannot imagine where her spell went wrong, ‘Unless…’. she whispers, as an idea comes to her.
Meanwhile, in a federal prison in New York State, where the New Mutant Rusty Collins is being held. The elderly villain known as the Vulture is being led back to his cell as he exclaims that the food stinks and the service is lousy, warning the prison guard that the second he has a chance, he is getting out of here, boasting that he has a plan. The prison officer replies that they all have plans, ‘Me, I plan to win the Lotto and be done with listening to bellyaching scum like you!’
>From a cell, another prisoner shouts at the Vulture, telling him that he is a has-been, and that he is nothing without his wings. ‘And they sure ain’t giving them back to ya!’ The prisoner asks the Vulture if he has been reading the papers and remarks ‘Even real lameoid super dudes are getting in on the super-hero bash-up - but you ain’t been asked to play in their all-star game!’.
In his cell now, the Vulture slumps down on his bed and snarls that they will all see, he will show them all, when he notices a large package sitting on his bed. ‘So…they don’t want me involved in their little escapade, do they?’ the Vulture remarks, ‘Then why send me this little gift?’ Opening the “gift”, the Vulture is presented with a new set of wings and costume. He realizes that it is his design, using his unpatented magnetic flight system, but they are not his wings, someone has stolen his design, has taken liberties. As he begins to put the costume and wings on, the Vulture notices the set of the hinges, the complexity of the fastenings, and supposes that it is the work of the Tinkerer.
The Vulture raises his new wings high in his cell and boasts that he will show the Tinkerer. ‘I’ll show him what it means to mock the Vulture! I’ll show you all!’ Across the cells, Rusty Collins sees the Vulture and asks him what he is doing. Noticing that the Vulture is dressed and has wings, Rusty remarks that even dressed like that he will not be able to escape, and uses his own mutant powers to melt the bars restraining him, and dives into the Vulture’s cell. ‘Oh, can’t I, you mutant fool? Just watch me!’ the Vulture exclaims as he informs Rusty, who grabs his ankle, that his benefactor enclosed an explosive device, and tosses it at the wall to his cell, before flying out of the open space. Guards try to follow them, but are unable, though the Vulture realizes that Rusty is still clinging to him, ‘Let go of my leg, you idiot! Let go!’ the old villain cries.
Back in Asgard, Warlock has travelled through rain and storm, flying at top speeds towards Queen Ula’s hive. Boom-Boom informs her teammate that there is an opening on the other side of the Hive, while Hrimhari notices that there is an ungodly racket coming from within, like the buzzing of an angry swarm! He asks Warlock if it is possible for him to hover so that they can look into the hive. Peering in through a hole in the hive, Warlock informs his friends that there are thousands of the savage swarm inside.
Inside the hive, Ula rests on a “throne” made from her own Savage Swarm, while a senior guard stands before the Warriors Three and asks his queen why they should keep the Warriors Three alive, pointing out that Asgard has always been their enemy, and this treachery goes beyond all reason. Sitting on a small ledge by an opening in the hive, the three young heroes listen to what is going on inside, and Boom-Boom asks if it seems a bit weird, ‘I mean if these Warriors Three are so good, how come we have to save them?’ she asks. Hrimhari replies that everyone needs a little help sometime, and assures her that their rescue will be easy. ‘All we must do is…’ he begins.
So, soon, Warlock extends his arms and grabs several of the savage swarm, remarking that he does not like the look of the hive trolls, nor the odds. Hrimhari explains that they do not have to defeat the swarm, just steal the Warriors Three away. ‘There speaks an incurrable optimist!’ Boom-Boom remarks as she holds one of her plasma time bombs in her hand, declaring that she created it with a delayed fuse, and asking Hrimhari if he thinks he is strong enough to hurl it over the savage swarm’s heads to the back of the hive. ‘Thou will see. And now, as thy Migardian warriors say…let us rock and roll!’ Hrimhari exclaims, before tossing the time bomb into the hive, past those inside, it slams hard against the back wall of the hive.
‘An explosion!’ shouts Queen Ula, pointing in the direction of the blast. The savage swarm all begin flurrying about, while Warlock, who has shifted his form to resemble a bee-keeper, goes over to Ula and wraps his form around her, telling the Warriors Three that while the savage swarm are distracted, they are rescuing them. ‘But you must hurry!’ Warlock exclaims. Hogun and Fandral look at each other confused, until Hrimhari approaches them and unties them. Hogun thanks Hrimhari for once again saving his life, to which Hrimhari replies ‘You saved me last time, but who is counting?’
Warlock shifts his form once more, this time into a large air-balloon of sorts. Boom-Boom, Hrimhari, Fandral and Hogun are already safe inside, but Volstagg is rather large and cannot climb in. Fandral turns to Boom-Boom and tells her that they are most grateful for this timely interruption, while Warlock informs Volstagg that he is too heavy, and will not be able to take flight with him. One of the savage swarm sees the heroes escaping and alerts his fellows, ‘The explosion was a ruse! Our prisoners escape!’ he cries, while Volstagg acknowledges that Warlock is no Asgardian creation, and calls him a flimsy thing unsuitable to one of his stature, before telling Warlock to go and leave him to his fate.
However, watching the plight of the heroes through his crystal in his icy kingdom, Tiwaz remarks ‘Ah, no, good Volstagg. That we must not allow! Thou has yet a part to play in Asgard’s defense!’, and the mighty sorcerer casts a spell on Volstagg.
Fandral urges Boom-Boom to help him pull Volstagg into Warlock, ‘I’m pulling!’ Tabby replies, while thinking to herself ‘Finally - a cute guy in Asgard!’, when suddenly, Volstagg is reduced in size to that of a small rodent. This enables Warlock to rise quickly and exits through an opening in the hive, but not without Ula ordering her warriors to follow them and to be quick about it. Fandral turns to Boom-Boom and remarks that he does not know how such a wonder has come to pass, but that he trusts she will soon return Volstagg to his former stature. Tabby is stuck for words, before replying that she knows not how either, but will do what she can.
Volstagg exclaims that it is unfitting that he be reduced to such a miniscule state, so Warlock morphs his body so that a miniscule version of himself appears from the air balloon next to Volstagg, ‘Self regrets any inconvenience, friend Volstagg!’ The alien adds that he believes it is for the best, since it has enabled them to break free. Back in the hive though, Ula exclaims that if the Asgardians think they will escape, they must think again, and orders her savage swarm after them.
The savage swarm flit about around the escaping heroes and Hrimhari asks them what the meaning of this kidnapping was, as he was of the understanding that Ula’s swarm was, for now, at peace with Asgard. One of the swarm replies that they thought the same also, until Lord Odin sent his Valkyries to snatch their best warriors, living, from the hive. The swarm exclaim that they cannot stop Valkyries, ‘But you we will slay, and send old Odin one-eye your heads in payment for the evil he has visited on our kind!’
Hogun remarks that  the swarm were always given to untruths, and that this is the most preposterous tale they have ever told! Hogun exclaims that the Valkyries do take the best of warriors, but only those slain in battle, as they have no use for living warriors, nor does Lord Odin need the savage swarm, when he has the Einherjar to protect his kingdom, and the Warriors Three. Hrimhari suggests Hogun does not speak so rashly of Asgard’s oversupply of warriors.
Boom-Boom agrees, and informs the Warriors Three that she has bad news for them - the savage swarm are telling the truth, well at least as they see it, anyway. Tabby begins tossing time bombs around to keep the savage swarm away from Warlock while informing the Warriors Three that Hela has taken the Valkyries over by magi while Odin sleeps his Odin Sleep, and that the Valkyries are not taking living warriors, not for Odin, but for Hela’s army as she plans to use them to invade and conquer all of Asgard!
One of the savage swarm holds swords towards Warlock and asks Boom-Boom why they should accept her word for all this nonsense, when Hrimhari comes to Tabby’s defense, asking the swarm to believe him when he says that it is true. He introduces himself by name and declares that he stakes his honor on what Boom-Boom says is true, adding he knows, for Hela has stolen his people also. Hela is the enemy!
‘Can it be true?’, ‘Is it really he?’ mumble the savage swarm, until Queen Ula is flown towards them by her swarm. One of the swarms tells his Queen that mortals are to be trusted no more than Asgardians, but that the honor of the wolf-prince is unquestionable. Another of the swarm points out that Hrimhari serves Asgard no more than they do. Ula declares that if Hela is the kidnapper, then their quarrel with Asgard is at an end, for Hela threatens all kingdoms. She turns to Hrimhari and informs him that, for now, she and her savage swarm ally themselves with him and the rest of Asgard, even though it is Death herself that they must face!
Meanwhile, the New Mutants have followed Hela and her minions through Hel to a large open plain, thronging with ensorcelled warriors, stolen from among the best and bravest of the many kingdoms of Asgard. Hela stands on a ledge at the front of the sprawling plains, and Mirage and Brightwind alongside her, while the four New Mutants hide further back behind some rocks. Cannonball exclaims that Hel and Dani are standing before them with the sword forged and the army ready to go. Sunspot exclaims that there must be thousands of warriors, and Rictor reminds his teammates that if the four of them could not stop Hela alone, how are they supposed to defeat all of them. Rahne hears Hela beginning to speak and shushes her teammates so they can hear what the Death Goddess is saying.
‘The time for the invasion of Asgard is upon us!’ Hela bellows, ‘Each warrior must slay his thousands’ she exclaims, before declaring that it is to thee who were once both the mortal mutant Moonstar and Odin’s chosen Valkyrie, that the pivotal role, the signal honor has fallen. Hela exclaims that with this sword, She-Who-Was-Once-Moonstar will slay Odin, Lord of all Asgard as he sleeps his Odin Sleep, and subsequently bring about the all-father’s death!
Cannonball suggests to his friends that they might not have to stop the army after all, pointing out that it is Dani who is the linchpin of Hela’s plan, so it is Dani that they have to stop. Sunspot agrees, and remarks that if Boom-Boom, Warlock and Hrimhari have managed to warn Asgard, an entire army will be waiting to stop these warriors, adding that there is no reason for the Asgardians to strengthen Odin’s guards since they will expect his magic to protect them. Rictor remarks that all Dani will have to do is duck out of the battle and head for Odin, pointing out that once she kills him, the victory will be Hela’s no matter what the outcome of this battle, which is why he thinks they should let the Asgardians deal with Hela’s army why they concentrate on stopping Dani.
‘If we can!’ Rahne exclaims, before altering her friends to the valley beneath them, where cloaked warriors are on winged beasts. Cannonball tells his teammates to take the winged warriors out, before they get sight of the main army. Cannonball blasts towards them while Sunspot leaps at them and kicks one of them with his incredible strength, ‘Whatever you say, boss-man! But four down doesn’t alter the odds all that much!’ Bobby exclaims while Rahne lunges at another and Rictor attacks the fourth with his vibro-powers. Wolfsbane calls Bobby a “silly goose” as she explains that Sam wants them to ride the winged beasts into Asgard, disguised as part of Hela’s army!
Meanwhile, in the vaulted great hall of Karnilla’s castle, a stone statue, who was once a living guardsman, stands, placed there so that Karnilla might gauge the effectiveness of her restoration spell. Volstagg’s children have never been allowed to witness so powerful a spell in process, and they watch, open-mouthed, as words of power take on a physical reality and roil, crackling with energy over the guardsman. Finally, Karnilla’s spell is complete and all everyone turns to the statue expectantly, but…nothing has happened. Balder points out that nothing has happened, to which Karnilla exclaims that she had so hoped that this time she would have succeeded, before wondering even if she had, what good it would have done Balder and the rest of Asgard, for this is just a single guard, and it will take her years to revive all of her people.
However, in the icy wastes, an ancient figure monitors Karnilla’s progress. Tiwaz sees that the guardsman remains stone, but Karnilla has done better than she can possibly know. Tiwaz remarks that Karnilla is a fine sorceress, and her cause is just, meaning it is a pity to let all that excess magic go to waste! Tiwaz blows over his crystal, which causes an unexpected icy wind to rip through Karnilla’s castle, snatching up the dancing spell, and sprinkling it selectively on the stone people of Nornheim.
In the palace itself, Hildy alerts Karnilla, ‘Look! It did work…in a way. He is still stone, but…’ her voice trails off as Balder motions to the guardsman’s hand, moving on his sword, before the guardsman begins to speak, bowing before Karnilla, his thanks his gracious Queen for her efforts, on behalf of all her people, he explains that he is as she sees him, a man of stone, but that he will serve her if she will have him.
Notes of magic dance in the sunlight as the people of Karnilla’s kingdom no longer immobile statues, but still not quite flesh and blood, flock beneath her castle wall. Karnilla and Balder stand before them, as Karnilla explains the grave situation to them, that Hela threatens all of Asgard, with magic and evil as foul as that which turned them all to stone. Karnilla informs her people that she will ride to Asgard at Balder’s side to battle Hela with what magicks she possesses. ‘I will aid him in his battle as he once aided me in mine!’ Karnilla exclaims, informing her people that she had hoped they would be able to ride with her, but alas, they are not yet fully recovered.
Down below, Karnilla’s people exclaim that they will march with her, every man, woman and child among them! Someone else exclaims that it was a happy chance that made them stone men, for they are now as strong as stone, with muscles hewn of rock and with a stone’s invulnerability! One of the people asks if even Death can prevail against such awesome warriors as they!?
Back in icy Hel, Sam, Bobby, Julio and Rahne are disguised in the clothing of Helish warriors, and mounted on the winged beasts, have joined Hela’s army. Sam tells his friends to pull their hoods up tight around their faces, and Rahne motions everyone to look up in the air before Hela’s army, there is shimmering as happened once before, when Hela created the portal that led them into Hel. Sam replies that this one will lead them out and tells his team to mix in with the army and be ready to make their move when the army does.
Held prisoner nearby, the dwarf-lord Eitri whispers to his daughter Kindra, asking her if she sees beneath the foul raiment of goblins, the fair warrior New Mutants riding to save bright Asgard from evil - evil that he has created by his own accursed hands. A warrior smacks Eitri in the face with his staff, telling him to get back and not litter the path of his betters. Kindra calls out for her father, who now has tears weeping from his eyes. Eitri tells his daughter to not try and comfort him, as he knows his own fault in this, for in that weapon he has sown the seeds of Hela’s destruction, and vows that the New Mutants will not be alone in Asgard’s salvation!
A mere warp away, the spires of Asgard’s capital gleam in the sunlight as Balder and Karnilla’s army of stone approaches the city’s gates. Riding on one of Thor’s goats, one of Hildy’s siblings motions for Balder to look up in the sky. Hildy exclaims that it is flying monsters, so it must be Hela’s army. Balder tells Karnilla’s people to raise their weapons and prepare to meet the attack, while in the sky, one of the savage swarm sees Karnilla’s army and declares that it is an army massed before Asgard’s gates, noting the warriors of stone, they think it must be Hela’s terrible creation.
But in the Warlock-air-balloon, Fandral orders everyone to hold their fire, as the figure leading the men of stone is Balder. Ula orders her warriors to halt, informing them that these are not enemies, but allies in the fight against dark Hel. Balder informs his army that it is the Warriors Three up in the air, with any army to help defend. ‘Surely with allies like these, Asgard can never fall!’
Soon, when introductions have been made and the heroism of Volstagg’s children much admired, the time comes to marvel at the strangeness of Asgard’s allies. Balder is reunited with his allies Fandral and Hogun and asks them what strange allies they have brought to defend bright Asgard. Fandral replies that he will wager they are no more strange than his own allies the stone folk. Warlock holds in his hands the tiny Volstagg out before his heroic children and Hildy informs her father that they flew here on Thor’s goats, turning to Boom-Boom she exclaims ‘We found help for Asgard too’ before asking her father how he got so small.
Balder replies that his bulk was too great for the flimsy man-thing Warlock to bear. Hogun remarks that Volstagg was transformed by sorcery and became as they see him now, before remarking ‘Who this sorcerous ally is and where he abides, no man can say!’ Boom-Boom however suspects Tiwaz, though she says nothing, while Volstagg points out that as they are fully grounded, he trusts he shall be restored to his former glory? And on cue, Warlock drops Volstagg as the mighty warrior returns to his true, large, form. Volstagg declares with such powerful and agreeable allies, surely Asgard’s light will never dim, when suddenly there is a massive flash in the sky above them.
‘What is it?’ someone asks. ‘A warp?’ someone else suggests. ‘Through it rides a grim and terrible throng!’ declares someone as they motion to Hela in the sky, leading her massive army into Asgard, headed by Mirage, Mist and the other Valkyries. ‘Attack ye hosts of Hel!’ screams the Death Goddess. ‘And bring me, Moonstar, the all-father’s heart! Soon, Odin, and all his holdings, will be MINE!’


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Provide a full summary of the comic book.

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The Killing Stroke
In the sky above Asgard, the dimension ruled by the Norse gods, the New Mutants and the free peoples of Asgard have joined forces against the invading warriors of the Death Goddess, Hela. Sam “Cannonball” Guthrie, leader of the teenage New Mutants blasts through the sky, knocking winged warriors from their flight, while Julio “Rictor” Richter rides on a winged beast and uses his seismic powers to throw the winged warriors off balance. Bobby “Sunspot” DaCosta uses his super strength to toss the warriors about, while Rahne “Wolfsbane” Sinclair is also strong in her wolfen form and does the same.
Sam exclaims that this battle gives confusion a new and deadly meaning, as it is hard to tell friend from foe! Rictor agrees and points out that even the heroes that Hela has taken over fight for her like demons. Hela hovers in the air nearby and wonders how the Asgardians did it, how they managed to rally this vast array against her. However, the Death Goddess boasts that she will win, for She-Who-Was-Moonstar has but to use the Deathsword, ‘And Asgard will be mine!’
Cannonball motions to their transformed teammate, Dani “Mirage” Moonstar, who is riding her winged steed Brightwind alongside Mist and the other transformed Valkyries. Sam exclaims that they have got to stop her before she reaches Odin.
On the battlefield below, the Asgardian Warriors Three - Hogun, Fandral and Volstagg, slay thousands of Hela’s demons, while Volstagg’s brave children, Hildy and other four, do battle upon magical chariot goats Toothgnasher and Toothgrinder who belong to the absent Thor, Norse God of Thunder. Nearby, Balder the Brave and the sorceress Karnilla lead their stone army, the people of Nornheim, while Tabitha “Boom-Boom” Smith and Warlock of the New Mutants, along with the wolf-prince Hrimhari, who have been separated from their friends, battle desperately. Queen Ula and her savage swarm have also joined the forces of good.
Ranged against them however are Hela’s monsters, ensorcelled giants, trolls, dwarves, dark elves, and most terrible of all - the Dark Valkyries who were Odin’s maiden warriors and choosers of the dead. Tragically among them is the New Mutant Danielle Moonstar, now Hela’s creature, she wields the most potent weapon, the cursed sword forged by Hela’s captive, the dwarf-lord Eitri.
Urgently, Wolfsbane points to the battle field and informs Cannonball that Boom-Boom, Warlock and Hrimhari are surrounded. Rahne adds that as Dani is just circling and not doing anything, they have to go and save them. ‘If we hurry!’ replies Sam, pointing out that they can use their friends when they go up against Dani. Sam blasts down to the battle field, scattering the warriors that are surrounding his friends, and Warlock shifts his form, as Sam instructs, to protect the others from his dive-bomb.
Amid all the carnage, this is hardly the time for a reunion, but the friends are reunited, and Sunspot tells Warlock that he has mustered an impressive army. Boom-Boom boasts that they did it all by themselves, and that Hela will be stopped because of them. ‘You wish, Boom-Boom!’ Rictor exclaims to his friend, before motioning skywards and alerting his friends to Dani. ‘So?’ asks Boom-Boom. Rictor informs her that Dani’s sword will kill Odin enabling Hela to steal Odin’s soul and all his power. ‘So it’s Dani we have to stop!’ Boom-Boom realizes, while muttering ‘And here I promised that sweet old giant Tiwaz we’d save Asgard!’
‘Then self friends, we must!’ exclaims Warlock as he snatches up Boom-Boom and Hrimhari and blasts at top speeds after the retreating Dani. Sunspot calls after his alien teammate, asking him what he is doing. ‘Come back!’ he shouts, pointing out that they are a team. ‘You idiots! Boom-Boom, this isn’t a game!’ Sam declares that Boom-Boom isn’t listening and tells the others to mount up on the winged beasts they stole, but Sunspot alerts his teammates to the approaching warriors behind them. Sam decides that they are lucky then that Boom-Boom and the others got away from this battle and went after Dani, who has changed more than ever, more powerful, more dangerous, but maybe, just maybe, Boom-Boom and the others can engage her and slow her down till they can join them.
High above, Warlock streaks across the sky in the form of a large bird of prey. Boom-Boom tells Hrimhari that this is one problem-filled environment he has here, while tossing a time bomb towards her deranged teammate. ‘It makes New York look like Disney Land!’ Tabby jokes, while Hrimhari tells her to be quiet, as their aim must be true, Dani must be distracted. Tabby’s time bomb smacks Mirage in the back, ‘FOOLS!’ she screams, turning to her pursuers, she tells them that they have presumed once to often upon Moonstar’s memories to save them. ‘Presume no longer!’ she shouts as she unleashes a bolt of flaming energy upon them.
Dani’s blast causes Boom-Boom to fall from Warlock, while the deranged New Mutant cries that Danielle Moonstar’s hold on her has ended, ‘Darkness is her mistress now - and thine!’ Warlock extends his form so that a large cupped hand catches Boom-Boom. But thrown off course from pursuing Moonstar, the three fly directly towards a large rocky creature that reaches out to grab them. ‘Bummer!’ mutters Boom-Boom.
Not far away, Sunspot tosses the last of the warriors aside, informing Cannonball that is all of them for now, before remarking that he can see Dani up in the sky, but not Warlock and the others. Fearful and apprehensive, the four New Mutants leap upon their winged mounts and urge them high over the battle field. Rictor declares that he cannot see them anywhere, while Rahne is worried about her wolf-prince, and wonders what her monster best friend has done to him, urging Sam that they have to go and look for the others. Sam assures Rahne that it is tearing him up too, but that they don’t have time to look for them as they have to stop Dani from using the sword - for if she does, the people of Asgard will all die horribly at Hela’s hands. He points out that Boom-Boom and Warlock slowed Mirage down enough, giving the rest of them a slim chance at stopping her. ‘Let’s make their sacrifice count!’
Balder and Karnilla, lovers, stand side by side and watch the New Mutants follow their insane teammate. Balder remarks that he begins to understand why Thor spends his time on Earth and loves the mortals as his special charges. ‘Their lives, compared to ours, are fleeting as a Summer day, and yet, you see? They spend them gallantly fighting our battle in the service of right!’ Karnilla agrees, ‘Surely, my love, they are heroes and their deeds will live in song long after they are gone!’
Elsewhere, many warriors have fallen to Hela’s enchantments, but not all. The Einherjar, chosen by the Valkyries from among the battle-slain, remain true to Odin, and themselves. It would take much to subdue these elite warriors, and Hela has chosen to spend her energy on the Valkyries and the Deathsword, content that, imprisoned, the Einherjar cannot fight against her. However, imprisoned with them is the dwarf-lord Eitri, forger of the Deathsword, and his daughter, Kindra.
Eitri points out that even those who are supposed to be guarding them have joined Hela’s invasion, and exclaims that he has been awaiting this opportunity. Eitri reveals to the Executioner that he has found a key, rusty and bent, but has been reshaping it in secret. He displays the key, before placing it into the lock and opening the prison, telling the Einherjar that they are free to go and aid Asgard if they are able. The powerful Executioner remarks that it was Eitri who forged the Deathsword, but that his deed here has redeemed him, in part, before ordering the Einherjar to their weapons, then they will go through the mystic warp and out upon the field of battle. One of the Einherjar exclaims that the prison door is open, but that Hela’s dark spell still tugs at them, endeavouring them to remain here, sapping their strength. ‘Then we must fight the foul magic and make good our escape, for the sake of Asgard!’ the Executioner exclaims.
Eitri watches the warriors leave the dungeon and overhears one of them remark ‘We must stop the evil wrought by the dwarf-lord!’ Kindra asks her father how he can let them speak like that, as he did what he had to save her, and the New Mutants, his friends. Eitri begins breaking his chains and tells his daughter not to blame the warriors, for their anger will strengthen them in the coming battle. He adds that each of them must fight death in their own way, ‘I blame myself that things have gone so far!’ Eitri and his daughter begin to leave the dungeon and Eitri reveals that there is a fault in Hela’s plan, known to only he alone. Eitri informs Kindra that they are also going through the warp, to the battle field that lies beyond, informing his daughter that when they emerge, she must hide herself and by no means engage in the battle. Kindra begins to protest, but Eitri tells her to listen to him, ‘Thou must live…to tell thy mother that, though I forged the Deathsword, I did not allow it to be used…but died, bravely, righting a terrible wrong!’
Back on the battle field, reinforcements from all over the city, even those who guard the sleeping Odin, have left their post to join Asgard’s defense…but they are still losing. Karnilla tells her lover to rest, pointing out that he is injured, while assuring him that her magicks will keep the approaching creatures at bay, while her restorative spell does its work on his injuries. ‘Nay, my love!’ Balder replies, exclaiming that while there is still life in his limbs he must not rest, but rise and fight on, ‘For Hela must not be allowed to triumph!’ he exclaims.
The Warriors Three are still fighting valiantly and Hogun applauds Fandral on a maneuver. Fandral replies that there is nothing dashing about this battle, and fears that it will make him as grim as Hogun. Nearby, Hildy exclaims that she wished Thor’s goats hadn’t thrown them off, to which Volstagg tells his clever daughter that the goats judged wisely, for deciding that children do not belong in battle. He tells his daughter that her heart is large, but stature is small. ‘Sometimes, papa, small works best!’ Hildy exclaims as she smashes a giant’s approaching hand with a mallet. Another of his children asks Volstagg where Loki is, as he though Hela is his daughter, surely he would oppose this mad scheme.
For all of the valor of its warriors, Asgard is surely doomed to fall to the overwhelming onslaught of Hela’s legions of the dead - then, through the warp bursts the Einherjar, wielding not swords and spears, but automatic weapons acquired in battle on Earth not too long ago. ‘To battle, men! And may we banish Hel’s foul legions from our land!’ The Einherjar begin blasting Hela’s minions with the weapons not familiar on Asgard. ‘Back, monsters! Threaten not Asgard’s finest!’
Volstagg congratulates the Executioner, exclaiming that the aid of the Einherjar was much needed, for Asgard is in desperate peril. Hildy points out that the Einherjar were imprisoned in Hel, and asks them how they escaped. The Executioner reveals that Eitri freed them, and as if on cue, Eitri and Kindra appear on the battle field. Volstagg exclaims that Asgard has much to thank Eitri for, while remarking that the Einherjar’s presence here might turn the tide against Hela and her minions. ‘Great is his heroism!’ Volstagg exclaims regarding Eitri. ‘And great is his infamy, for he has forged the sword to kill -’ the Executioner begins, until he sees a warrior above them crack a small ledge, causing rocks to fall down upon them. ‘Kill? Kill whom? Brave Executioner, answer me!’ Volstagg exclaims, but the reply is lost in the crash of collapsing rubble and the clangor of battle. Time is running out….
Eitri takes his daughter to a small hole a hillside and tells her to hide there and to remember what he has told her. Kindra motions for her father to look behind himself, and doing so, Eitri exclaims that the Fates have heard his prayers, though their blessing is punishment enough in its own way for all of his transgressions. Eitri looks at one of Odin’s special war-steeds, bred for strength and swiftness, he remarks that hr would rather fight a serpent than mount this steed, for dwarves dislike horses, believing that honest men should keep both feet firmly planted on the ground, yet Eitri ignores the thumping of his heart and slides closely, dodging the flailing hooves to grab the war-steeds bridle.
He proceeds to gallop through the battle field towards Odin’s palace as he sees a ball of fire streaking towards Odin’s palace, realizing it is the one they call Moonstar and behind her, the New Mutants. A monster approaches Eitri on the horse, but the dwarf-lord smacks it aside with his mallet, ‘I have not time for thee!’ Eitri exclaims, knowing that the New Mutants cannot hold Moonstar for long. ‘I must shatter the sword…or Asgard is lost!’
Back up in the sky, the mutant Danielle Moonstar had a talent, she could give dreams and fears flesh-and-blood reality. But she is now a Dark Valkyrie, a servant of Death herself, her soul ashes. But that inborn power is still hers to command, and she points at Odin’s chamber, and the New Mutants watch, horrified, as the roof is ripped off by a white hot flame. The room is like a furnace, but even in his Odin Sleep, the all-father’s magicks will protect him from the flames - but not from the sword!
Cannonball drops down between his dear friend and the all-father, protected from the heat by his force field, he calls out to Dani, asking her to give him the sword. Within seconds, the roof to Odin’s chamber is gone, and the other New Mutants drop down into the chamber, with Rictor exclaiming ‘Hey, Dani! Don’t be such a hothead!’ ‘Speak not that accursed name in my presence, Rictor!’ She-Who-Was-Moonstar replies, only to be struck to the ground, along with Brightwind, as Rictor uses his seismic powers on them, ‘You got it! Actions speak louder than words, in any case!’ Rictor remarks.
Moonstar hears a crack and realizes that Rictor has broken Brightwind’s wing. Cannonball exclaims that the horse is no more Brightwind than she is Dani, and declares that it was done because they cannot take a chance of risking her run away. ‘We’re gonna have this out, here and now!’ Dani tells Sam to be silent, exclaiming that she wants vengeance against Rictor, and covers his hands in her powerful flames. ‘My hands!’ Rictor shouts, dropping to the ground.
Rahne and Sam step in between Dani and Rictor, and Rahne calls out to her best friend to leave Rictor alone, and put the sword down. ‘If our friendship ever meant anything to you…please!’ Rahne remarks that Dani, more than anyone, knows what that cursed weapon means for this world, to which Dani asks ‘What care I for this world?’ ‘But you care for us, don’t you? No matter what you say, you don’t want to hurt us…and you’ll have to kill us to get to Odin!’ Rahne warns Moonstar.
The deranged New Mutant exclaims that the shred-that-was-Moonstar may want what she wants, ‘But it is I who control the body…and the power!’ Dani lashes out with flame, causing Sam to push Rahne out of the way so that he absorbs the blow himself. Sam tells Rahne that reasoning with Dani will not help, nor will appealing to her better nature, as Dani is locked away , trapped in the dungeon of her soul, ‘It’s up to us to set her free!’ Mirage tells Cannonball to fly, pointing out that the more he activates his blast field, the worse it will become for him, ‘For this is no ordinary flame, but your worst nightmare!’ Sam exclaims that the flame is interacting with his blast field, filling it with gas, he then falls to the floor, unconscious.
Dani turns to Rahne, who is holding on to the unconscious Rictor, and asks her if she cares to test her any further, before suggesting she move aside, as Lord Odin is “waiting” for her, however, as Mirage walks over to the all-father, Sunspot smacks his powerful fists down on the floorboards she walks on, causing her tumble backwards. ‘That’s one appointment you won’t keep!’ Sunspot tells Dani as he raises one of his fists above her face, only to be bombarded with her evil flame.
Rahne grabs a tapestry that was hanging on the wall and smothers the flames that burn Sunspot while exclaiming that this is not their darling Dani anymore, before wondering why it has taken her so long to realize that. The possessed Moonstar staggers up. She is hurt, but is driven by a need beyond herself. ‘Blood! The sword needs…blood!’ she exclaims, when, suddenly, the chamber door is splintered open by a forger’s hammer, and Eitri reveals himself, lunging towards Moonstar, he exclaims ‘If the sword needs blood…then let it drink mine!’ Eitri strikes the blade with his hammer, ‘Fool! The blade! You have damaged the blade!’ Moonstar screams, before her fury engulfs Eitri in a sheet of flame.
Meanwhile, dimensions away in upstate New York, the unjustly imprisoned New Mutant, Rusty Collins has tackled the half-mad Vulture as he escapes from federal prison. ‘The other prisoners will scorn me no longer!’ the aged villain squawks as he flies around the prison yard, boasting that he will release Nitro from his container and create such devastation that the world will tremble at the mention of his name. ‘Sorry, Vulture, but I can’t let that happen!’ Rusty exclaims, warning the Vulture to give up, otherwise he will ignite his wings and burn them to shreds.
The Vulture pleads with Rusty not to hurt him and swoops towards the ground, exclaiming that he will land, but instead, circles in his flight, ‘It is you who will land - hard!’ he cackles as he forces Rusty off of him, in the process, Rusty’s leg is zapped by the electric fence, and the Vulture exclaims that he was not born yesterday. He calls Rusty a heroic fool and suggests he ponder that, ‘While I fly free!’.
Watching from her cell is Rusty’s girlfriend, the New Mutant Sally “Skids” Blevins, horror stricken, she watches the fight and calls out to Rusty, ‘Please be all right!’ she exclaims, while in a nearby guard-tower, a watchman exclaims that the escaping prisoner is the mutant, and recalls he was warned about him. ‘Halt or I’ll shoot!’ the guard cries out, firing bullets at Rusty anyway. ‘Cut it out! It’s not me who’s escaping you idiots! It’s the Vulture!’ Rusty calls back, sending a blast of flame up to the watch tower to defend himself.
Rusty then calls out to Skids, asking her if she can hear him, he tells her to stand back from the window and let him burn her an exit. Rusty barely gestures and solid steel bars ignite. Skids then hurls herself past the flames and leaps out the window, ‘What the heck do you think you’re doing?’ Rusty asks his girlfriend, who tells him not to worry, as her deflector field is under her and will cushion her fall so she will not be hurt. Landed, Sally spins around and uses her force field to protect both she and Rusty, while asking her lover what this is all about, and why he cares if the Vulture escapes.
‘Why help humans anyway? They’re the ones who jailed us!’ Sally reminds him, to which Rusty burns a hole in the wire fence surrounding the prison and informs Sally that the Vulture is going to free Nitro, explaining that he is some madman with the power to cause incredible explosions and is currently being kept in a canister that prevents him from exploding. ‘Who?’ Sally asks, continuing to hold her force field in place protecting she and Rusty from the bullets.
Rusty turns around and grabs Sally’s wrist, pulling her along with him as they escape, and he informs her that Nitro is on trial in his canister, unable to participate in his own defense. Sally continues to block the bullets by creating small shields to protect them while Rusty remarks that there are reporters, picketers for civil liberty and lots of innocents in and around the courthouse. ‘And unless we can stop it, the Vulture will release him and Nitro will explode! Hundreds of innocent people will die!’.
Back in Asgard, Cannonball regains consciousness, lying around him are the unconscious Rictor and Sunspot, who is being tended to by Wolfsbane, and Mirage and Brightwind are nearby too. Sam sees Eitri and asks him what he is doing here, what happened. Weak, Eitri calls out to Sam, ‘Son of my heart’ he calls him as he reveals that he forged a flaw into the sword, and trying to destroy it, he nicked it to mark the flaw. Eitri explains that the blow will release such magic, that it may very well kill the one who takes it. ‘Wanted it to be…me…’ Eitri whispers, before going silent.
Cannonball watches as Mirage rises and stands before the sleeping Lord Odin. Flames engulf her and she raises the sword, ready to strike. Cannonball is invulnerable when he is blasting, and since he joined the original New Mutants he has practised his timing, and his aim. Now, his eyes are fastened on the telltale nick in the blade - that is where the blow must strike. The sword swings in a glistening arc that will split the all-father’s heart - but it strikes Sam Guthrie instead! And, in the explosion of the thunder and energy, the Deathsword shatters.
A brilliant light engulfs all of Asgard as magic is released from the shattered sword and fills the sky. On the battle field, warriors for both Asgard and Hel stop and stare into the light, and Hela’s hold on the denizens of Asgard is broken, and those enthralled are released. ‘Free!’ cries one of the warriors! A Valkyrie looks to the Heavens and exclaims ‘We are free! Our bodies…our wills…are now our own!’ In outrage, they all turn towards Hela who is standing high above on a peak. ‘Attack her!’, ‘Destroy her!’, ‘Drive her back to Hel!’ the Asgardians shout.
Hela realizes that the sword is gone and all of her brave plans are now laid to waste. She orders her remaining legions back into Hel, warning the Asgardians that they have not heard the end of her, someday, soon, she will return. ‘Asgard…and the New Mutants…will pay!’
Back in Odin’s chamber, ‘No! What have I done? What have I allowed to happen?’ Dani exclaims as the flames surrounding her dissolve, and she begins to fall. The now-conscious Rictor grabs her and places a tapestry around her naked body. Rahne goes over to her best find and Rictor informs her that she is back, and that they saved Odin too. Looking around, Cannonball, Sunspot and Eitri are all lying on the floor motionless, Odin too remains in his Odin Sleep, and Rictor wonders if Dani, or any of them here, will ever be the same….