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

[Assistant]
The Age of Apocalypse: The Chosen
In New York City Apocalypse has built his fortress. Twenty years ago a man died, who, had he have lived, who would have stood in the path of Apocalypse’s ascension. Apocalypse rules this land and everyone on it; all humans will one-day die because of Apocalypse’s orders. Even some forgotten mutants will be killed but if you are lucky to be one of the Chosen, count your blessings, because you will be saved of Apocalypse’s cullings of the weak. The Madri, who are the eyes and ears of Apocalypse, have up to now been the most loyal and obedient to Apocalypse. Now though, one of the Madri members will risk everything by traveling to the inner sanctum of Apocalypse and reading files supposed to be seen only by Apocalypse. Also it means risking his very own life, he needs to know if the Madri are among the Chosen. The member of the Madri turns on the screen and the people he sees along with Apocalypse’s brief descriptions of them are as follows:
Magneto & Rogue – ChosenApocalypse believes that if the circumstances were different Magneto and him would be partners and not enemies. If he did not believe in following the dream of his dead friend Charles Xavier. Both him and Apocalypse go around gathering pawns to use against each other. Yet, while Apocalypse’s army counts thousands, Magneto’s is just a few. Apocalypse knows that one-day soon him and Magneto will face off in a final battle where only one will survive.
X-Man – ForgottenSinister’s little secret experiment using Cyclops and Jean Grey’s DNA to create the most powerful mutant on Earth. Apocalypse though wonders if Sinister is so loyal to him then why would he create X-Man in secrecy? Apocalypse surmises that X-Man was created to be Sinister’s assassin and the person to try to kill Apocalypse. It will be with great regret, Apocalypse says, to have to kill X-Man.
Cyclops – ChosenCyclops is the favorite adopted son of Sinister and since his birth Sinister has pampered him, making Cyclops the General of an elite mutant force. Apocalypse wonders though if Cyclops, whom Apocalypse thinks could be the next Horseman, is loyal to Sinister, the mutants in the pen, or himself. Apocalypse thinks that he must carefully observe this one.
Havok – ForgottenHavok has the potential to be as great or greater then his brother Cyclops but his envy and jealousy get in his way. Plus Apocalypse has heard rumors that Havok may be in love with a flatscan and ultimately his passion and his hatred will be his undoing.
Sinister – ChosenFor one hundred and fifty years Essex has been Apocalypse’s loyal servant. Lately though Apocalypse has noticed betrayal in Sinister’s eyes. Sinister was content as long as he was allowed to do his experiments and be left alone, but now that it is time to remove the chaff from the wheat, Sinister has become too much of a father to his experiments. So if his experiments survive they end up orphaned.
Storm – ChosenHow can a Goddess concern herself with mere mortals, Apocalypse says? Is it her love for Quicksilver that makes her stay with Magneto’s X-Men? How can she deny the truth that all mutants were meant to be Gods?
Quicksilver – ChosenHow long will he run from the truth, Apocalypse thinks? He has endured much, first his mothers murder, then his sister’s. How can he love another? What will happen if Storm falls in battle? One day he will have to choose either follow his father’s path, which leads to death, or follow Apocalypse’s path which leads to survival.
Northstar & Aurora – ForgottenBoth mutants represent everything right with today’s mutants; they both follow orders with unwavering loyalty. Both though seem to be taken with themselves and Apocalypse says that their headiness will probably cause them to be among the first to fall.
Beast – ForgottenMcCoy at one time was a successful geneticist who only wanted to experiment on himself. Now though Apocalypse sees the potential in the Beast to even surpass Sinister in genetics. Beast has a darker side with no morality. If only, Apocalypse thinks, he could separate the Beast’s brain from the body… perhaps he can.
The Four Horsemen – ChosenAbyss, Holocaust, Mikhail Rasputin and Sinister, the vanguard of his army of tomorrow. These members think Apocalypse trusts them more than anybody else, but he does not. Apocalypse only seeks to use them to usher in the new era of Earth where Apocalypse is King.
X-Calibre – ForgottenNightcrawler, Mystique and Destiny are cowards barely worth an entry in the archives. They operate the Infernal Gallop to the secret refuge they call Avalon. These members are neutral joining neither side, though side the day will come when they will find there is no hiding from Apocalypse.
Human High Council – ForgottenThe fittest the humans have to offer, they are the leaders of the masses in Eurasia. If even they were to destroy him Apocalypse’s dream would eventually conquer them.
Weapon X & Jean Grey – ChosenThese two lovers are only loyal to themselves. Jean Grey was once captured by Apocalypse’s henchmen and was on her way to becoming a high official in Apocalypse’s army when Weapon X came in to save her. Both only trust each other and both are blind to their absurdity of their situation.
Gambit and the X-Ternals – ForgottenGambits little band of mutants are more like annoying pests then anything else. Gambit seems to bring faith that the underdog can win and faith is a dangerous thing. The only thing Apocalypse wants from them is Lila Cheney, a mutant teleporter with the ability to take Apocalypse and his dream to the very stars.
Colossus – ChosenHe has been with Magneto a long time, first as a student on Wundagore Mountain, then as a hero to his own people in Russia. Colossus is now a mentor to the next generation of Magneto’s mutants. Colossus was devastated when his brother turned traitor and became one of Apocalypse’s horsemen. Now with a kill or be killed attitude he searches for his sister along side his wife Kitty Pryde and Apocalypse sees great potential in his future.
Angel - ChosenWhen will this one come down from his lofty perch? How long does he think Apocalypse will turn a blind eye to the secret business he conducts there, human and mutant living together? Come what may though Apocalypse believes that this Alpha mutant will rise to the top of any heap he is thrown into.
Sabretooth & Wildchild - ChosenTwo mindless savages who have found comfort in each other both find pleasure in pain. Sabretooth was once a loyal member to Apocalypse’s army and he wonders if the symbiotic bond Sabretooth and Wildchild have formed with one another has caused Sabretooth to turn to Magneto’s side. One day, Apocalypse thinks, he will welcome Sabretooth back into his fold.
Bishop – ChosenMadman? His is a world that Apocalypse wants to know because thanks to him Apocalypse knows that no matter what future, Apocalypse will always win, and just the timing will be different though.
Charles Xavier – ForgottenIt is misnomer to classify Xavier as one who is forgotten. Why is it that death was not the end of this one, Apocalypse says? Instead Xavier’s dream lives on in every mutant rebel he faces today. Apocalypse next says that he wonders how it would have been if this one survived?
Madri – Chosen
The Madri sees that he has been chosen, and he gratefully says that they will serve Apocalypse loyally forever. However Apocalypse, who had been standing behind the Madri all along, tells the Madri that although they will be with him till the end, he needs to be taught a lesson and Apocalypse changes the Madri from Chosen to Forgotten and then Apocalypse kills the Madri.


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

[Assistant]
Money changes everything
Ben Grimm has been a lot of things in his life. He was a poor kid from Yancey Street, a gridiron hero; even a decorated pilot for the good ol’ U.S. of A. He was then transformed into the Thing after being bombarded with cosmic rays during a space mission with three of his friends. They became the Fantastic Four and, since then, he’s had some incredible adventures. Now, on top of that, he’s incredibly rich.
Today, he’s been visiting his old buddy Goliath, also known as Bill Foster. It turns out that Bill’s dimensional wave inducer has been stolen by a criminal named Cauldron, and they’re on his trail. Cauldron looks like a waste disposal unit on legs. Unfortunately, he’s also powerful and, when Goliath touches his metallic armor, it scolds his fingers. The Thing isn’t so susceptible to heat after all these years spent alongside the Human Torch, and he rushes the villain. As he approaches, Cauldron unleashes a wave of green gunk from his mouth, which is red hot. He laughs at having cooked up the Thing like a lobster, but the smile is wiped from what could possibly be called his face when the Thing delivers a powerful strike. As he punches Cauldron, he screams, “It’s clobberin’ time!”
The assembled crowd goes wild, and Ben admits to himself that was really for the tourists. It really makes their day. With Cauldron down for the count, with his mouth caved in by Ben’s fist, Goliath takes back his contraption. He’d been hoping to get Cauldron to talk, so he could find out who’s behind this little snatch-and-grab. “M’not fayin’ nuffin’!” replies that wounded villain.
The press is soon on hand to harass Ben. One reporter tells her audience that she’s on the street with the Thing, who’s recently become one of the wealthiest men in the world. She asks if it’s true that he’s dating hot young actress Carlotta LaRosa. He replies that they’re just good friends, before a woman taps him on the shoulder and tells him he just wrecked their car. Is he gonna pay for that, or what? Ben reckons he can cover it. Her husband asks about her injuries too, and the woman feigns a whiplash injury. “Me, too! I got whipwaff, too!” grumbles Cauldron. This infuriates Ben, and he has to be held back by Goliath before he really gives them something to rack up the hospital bills.
Soon, S.H.I.E.L.D. agents are on hand to cart the villain away in shackles. Ben calls his chauffeur, Bunny, and asks her to bring the car around and give the lawyers a call. Ben says to Bill that his coming round today was pretty lucky for him. Bill grins, and replies that there was a reason for that. The dimensional wave inducer is just a prototype, “but with a sizeable capital investment…”
Ben isn’t impressed that the get together was just a business thing. As he climbs into his extremely long wheelbase white Hummer, Bill adds that the idea is possibly very lucrative. With this technology, they could drastically cut the cost of dimensional travel. The potential applications are limitless. He wants to put together a presentation for him, but Ben makes his excuses and heads off. Bill presumes he’s going to meet Alicia Masters, but Ben wishes people would let that go already. He and Alicia are just good friends. P>
(elsewhere)
Alicia is reading a story written in brail about Ben’s billionaire playboy lifestyle, and that he’s always ready to shout his new catchphrase, “It’s club-hoppin’ time!” She also reads about his relationship with up-and-coming actress, Carlotta LaRosa. Alicia thinks he’s sweet, but an idiot. Her current beau, Mr. North, appears carrying breakfast and she kisses him sweetly.
(Avengers Tower)
Peter Parker and Mary Jane are also at breakfast. Peter wonders what Ben’s doing running around with all these actresses and supermodels. M.J. asks what’s wrong with actresses and supermodels. Peter knows he’s put his foot in it and doesn’t go up that road. He then adds that Ben’s just an average guy, and it’s hard to imagine him living that lifestyle; being waited on by chauffeurs and butlers. Jarvis arrives and asks if he will be needing any more coffee or tea this morning. Peter just can’t catch a break this morning.
Outside the tower, Ms. Marvel and Wonder Man are flying around, chatting. Simon asks if she’s going to the Thing’s poker game this Friday, but Carol replies that she’s not sure. She’s thinking of blowing it off. They’re just not fun anymore. It’s supposed to be a friendly game, but Ben keeps making these ludicrous bets, like the money doesn’t mean anything to him. She finds it uncomfortable. She’d also prefer it if the games were held somewhere familiar instead of some fancy apartment.
Meanwhile, at the new Baxter Building, Johnny Storm is about to grab an opportunity he’s been waiting ages for. He enters the hangar bay and takes a ride on Ben’s souped-up sky-cycle. Unfortunately, the handling is too much for him, and it takes Mr. Fantastic’s elasticity to save both him and the two million dollar vehicle. Johnny can’t believe it’s worth that much. He realizes that Ben’s always lived like a billionaire. Reed admits that he has. He’s always worked hard to endure that Ben would want for nothing. The difference now is that Ben controls the purse strings. Johnny laughs that this will end in disaster, but Reed lets on that he’s planning a little experiment that should rectify matters, and help Ben come to terms with his excess.
Over at Ben’s new digs, the Atlas Towers off Central Park West, he wakes once more to the realization that things are a little different now. He could get used to his new life, but he’ll never get used to seeing his reflection in a mirror. He dons his dressing gown and Hulk slippers, and wanders into the living room where Carlotta LaRosa is standing there in sexy lingerie. She’s on the phone to a friend, making arrangements for the coming Saturday. It’s for a big party in the Hampton’s, and everyone’s going to be there. She asks Ben if he minds, and he replies with a kiss on her cheek. “Sure thing, doll. Whatever you want.”
She returns to her conversation with her friend, Milan Ramada, and informs her that, although everyone will be at the party; Milan herself won’t. She is infuriated, and throws her phone away violently, smashing a nearby lamp.
(later, night time)
Milan drives her sports car to Luna Park in the Bronx. She steps out and looks around. The place looks deserted, but her daddy told her that this was the place. Suddenly, the ground opens up beneath her, and she drops like a stone past whirling saw blades towards a circular disk covered with deadly spikes. She screams but, amazingly, she drops through the disk and lands on a bouncy liquid-filled bubble bed. A holographic image of Arcade appears beside her, laughing. He explains that the spikes were just holograms, before asking what he can do for her. Milan smiles, and asks if he does parties. She’s talking killer parties.
Meanwhile, Bunny drives them both to the Hampton’s where the party is being held. Ben’s nervous, but Carlotta is expecting this to be fun. Ben feels that, whenever he’s with Carlotta, he’s always the big shot; the guy throwing money around like it’s nothing, but at this shindig, everyone’s gonna be like that. He figures the only reason they want him around is for the freak factor.
As they step from the Hummer, the guests greet them and seem awfully pleased to see him. He shakes a few hands before Carlotta takes him to meet their hostess. Carlotta explains that her hostess can’t come and greet them until they enter the grounds as she’s under house arrest. Ben wonders what kinda people Carlotta’s mixed up with. He’s a super hero. He can’t be seen consorting with crooks. Carlotta asks him to calm down, and tells him she’s not a real criminal; she’s a white-collar criminal. That’s completely different.
Irma greets them at the door, and she thanks Ben for coming. He’ll be the star of the party. Ben never figured the upper crust were so into him, but Irma points to a series of statues in her garden that Alicia Masters created. They are of several of Ben’s former incarnations. Ben checks the sculptures out, and reckons he’s a regular walking’ Warhol soup can to them.
Irma informs him that she’d also like him to see her latest acquisition. Two workers dressed in white and sporting baseball caps sporting a capital letter A on them, bring the new sculpture around. It’s another depiction of Ben. Irma whisks Ben away to the party. He’s the guest of honor, and she’d hate to leave everyone waiting. Unheard by anyone else, one of the workers, calling herself Dragon Lady, informs her boss by radio that the package is in place. Her colleague, who calls himself Rover, confirms the drop, and asks someone inside the sculpture if they’re all right. They confirm that they are.
Inside Irma’s palatial home, guests are mingling and drinking champagne. Amongst them is Frank Schlicting, better known as the Constrictor. He’s trying to maintain a low profile, but his cover is almost broken when Tony Stark approaches him and says his name out loud. Franks asks him to keep it down. Tony tells him he’s got some gall, mixing it up with law-abiding citizens. Before Frank can respond, Kyle Richmond joins the conversation and says, with a little sarcasm, “Oh, right. Like you’ve never done anything illegal, Stark?”
Tony tells Kyle this isn’t the time, but Kyle mentions that all those years he used to run around as Iron Man, he never told his investors. Wouldn’t that be considered fraud? Tony decides to leave them to their own conversation, and Frank thanks Kyle for the intervention. Kyle asks him not to mention it. He’s a sucker for second chances. He could say they’ve made him who he is today.
The two men step outside to hear Ben’s speech. He stands before the admiring crowd and begins his oration, and they laugh at his lame jokes. Inside the sculpture is what looks like a small boy; a mini-Arcade listening to everything on earphones. Arcade himself is listening from elsewhere. The laughter is the last straw, and suddenly a small device emerges from the sculpture’s mouth and emits a piercing high-pitched scream. The guests cover their ears and they begin to pass out. Even Ben reels in agony. He knows he has to shut it down fast, but he can barely stand as he sees the sculpture climb off its dais and approach him.
Ben swings his right fist at the sculpture, but it stops his hand with ease. The Sculpture exclaims, “Nice one, slowpoke!” but Ben’s not that stupid. He asks if it’s ever heard of the ol’ one two, as his left fist smashes into the sculpture’s face. Surprisingly, the sculpture’s head raises itself on a metal support, and a panel in its chest opens to reveal the mini-Arcade inside. It immediately, zaps Ben with a gun, which takes him down in an instant. He can barely utter the words, “Wotta revoltin’ development,” before he passes out.
(much later)
Ben awakes on a beach with numerous party guests wondering what on Earth just happened. He lifts himself from the sand and asks where in Sam Hill he is. Beside him is Frank Schlicting, now dressed in his Constrictor costume, and Kyle Richmond in his Nighthawk outfit.  Frank asks if this is someone’s idea of a joke, and Kyle informs Frank that it’s not just him. Ben’s also in his FF uniform. Kyle asks what all this means. They look around and see master criminal Arcade standing on a rock with the mini-Arcade. Behind them is a macabre castle and fairground. Arcade informs them that it means that they’ve just won an all-expenses-paid trip to the grand opening of Arcade’s Murderland! “The deadliest place on Earth.”


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

[Assistant]
Boys’ Night Out
Outside Bergen, Oklahoma.The Rainbow Bridge Bifrost briefly appears and three men land roughly, grouching. They get up in search of their quarry…
Not far away in her apartment, Jane Foster and her houseguest, Thor, are hitting the books, trying to find information about the Rainbow Bridge. Thor has already given up when there is insistent knocking at the door. Is he certain he doesn’t remember anything about his arrival? she asks. His first memory was walking next to the road, already wearing the coat. There is a gap in his memories he cannot account for.
Annoyed at the insistent knocking, Jane stalks to the door to see two smiling (and one grim) men in outlandish outfits. “It’s for you”, she tells Thor.
Happily, Thor greets his three old friends, the Warriors Three, in Asgardian. The Dashing Fandral admonishes him to speak the tongue of their host. Grim Hogun explains wise Odin has sent them to check on Thor’s progress, if indeed progress was made. Hugging Fandral and Hogun, Thor asks how they can speak English. Fandral made them study Hogun explains, mainly to impress the ladies. Volstagg adds he made them read the biography of Casanova six times. Happily he holds Thor up, commenting on his clothes. Has he gone native on them?
Noticing grim-looking Jane, Fandral kisses her hand and Thor introduces his three good friends, Fandral the Dashing, Hogun the Grim and Volstagg the Valiant. He asks the Warriors Three if the bridge is there. Looking for an easy way to shirk his responsibilities? Fandral scoffs. Volstagg gently reminds Thor he is here for a reason. He doesn’t know! Thor exclaims and asks them to tell him. Surely he hasn’t forgotten his argument with his father, his punishment… Fandral tries to remind him. Looking at Thor’s uncomprehending eyes, Hogun believes Thor. Volstagg adds that Odin banished him to Midgard in order to teach him humility after what he has done. They would say more, but Odin has threatened to curse anyone who mentions it. Thor sinks down. His transgression has been rendered literally unspeakable whatever it was…
The Warriors Three gather in a conference. Fandral wonders if Thor’s amnesia might be a trick of Odin. Volstagg agrees, but Hogun believes such stratagems to be beneath Odin’s dignity. Other forces are at work here.
They turn to Thor: they cannot enlighten him but at the very least they can lighten his heart, Fandral offers. They invite him out for a few hours, have a drink, see the sights. Jane agrees. She’s going to go and see a few friends herself.
Outside, Thor suggests a few eating establishments. Fandral chides him for his lack of ambition. When he suggested they see the town, he did not mean this town. He takes out a horn, the Bukkehorn, and blows it and soon a flying chariot pulled by two goats comes, the Thunderer Fandral christens it. Thor recalls seeing it a child. They climb aboard. Volstagg suggests a tavern in Trondheim, Norway, he has wished to revisit for nigh on a thousand years. Its splendid mead made even Hogun smile. And off they fly…
Later they have landed in a city, hopelessly lost as they were guided only by a map from Viking times. While the Warriors Three haggle and bicker, Thor gets out of the chariot to ask where they are. Quitter! Volstagg protests. Hogun calls his friend back. He is asking directions like a woman! Volstagg protests. Fandral explains Thor is showing humility by admitting he does not have all the answers. Not much humility but it’s a start!
Inside a nearby pub, three friends sit and drink, Brian Braddock and his friends Alan and Celine, discussing the merits of beer and whose round it is. They look up when Thor enters the pub, figuring these are students hijinks. Brian figures he has friends outside and looks. What he sees are the Warriors Three, still bickering. Blimey! he mutters, we’re only being invaded by Vikings… He makes a transparent apology that he needs to go to the bathroom. His food isn’t agreeing with him.
At the counter, an impatient Thor tells the barmaid he doesn’t want a drink or any pork scratchings. He wants the way to Trondheim! They haven’t got a waiter named Trondheim, she replies. They don’t really call the waiters… Angrily, Thor pounds on the counter. He has been stuck in a chariot for two hours with a trio of bickering ninnies and he is not in the mood for idle chatter! Trondheim! Just point! The scared woman apologizes.
Suddenly, Captain Britain taps Thor on the shoulder and asks if he would mind stepping outside for a minute. There’s something they need to clear up. Thor begins to smile. Step outside? Oh, yes! He hits Captain Britain outside and, a moment later, walks after him. Fight! The Warriors Three cheer.
While Cap suddenly finds he has four foes inside the pub, Brian’s friends Celine and Alan talk. Brian is nice, Celine observes. Alan agrees. Not at all stuck-up for a toff, Posh, upper class. A title and everything. When he was researching his book he ran across Brian hanging out with a camp of travelers. Little did he know he was lord of the flippin’ manor. Celine asks if Alan shouldn’t check on Brian. He’s been in the loo a long time. It’s okay, Alan shrugs. He’s Captain Britain. He thinks his friends don’t know but he’s terrible at keeping it a secret, so they pretend they don’t notice. Another drink? he asks Celine who accepts.
Outside, Cap is cowed as Volstagg sits on him. Fandral pleads with him not to kill him. The very idea, Volstagg scoffs. He brought up five children that way. He believes the local expression is “time out,” Thor adds helpfully. Hogun asks what the stranger said to Thor. He must have insulted him; that is why they are pounding him to jelly, right? Did he try to take his hammer? Fandral asks. Nothing like that, Thor admits. He challenged him, asked him to “step outside.” Is that all? Hogun asks, doubtful, while Volstagg shouts their assistance is required: the little fellow is about to blow!
The other three pile up on them. Chaos ensues with the result that the Captain escapes and comes flying down at them. He hits the ground hard. Groaning Cap gets up to see four not amused Asgardians standing in front of him. Well, that worked, he mutters. Nevertheless, he gets up to face them. All right, so they’ve got him on the ropes, he tells them defiantly. He doesn’t suppose he can stop them knocking seven hells out of him but he can tell them he won’t give up. This is Britain and they have a tradition of fighting on. Agincourt! Trafalgar! Dunkirk!
Okay, he amends, they gave up on Dunkirk but the point stands. They gave up with dignity. “For we shall defend our island! We shall fight you on the beaches… We shall fight you in the fields and in the streets… we shall fight you in the hills! W shall never…” he begins to black out. “Surrender” is his last word.
When he wakes up, a smiling Thor looks down on him. The Warriors Three behind him are downing their drinks. Cap finds they are all in the pub. Thor welcomes him back and tells him they started without him. Their valiant young man returns from the vale of oblivion, Hogun announces. And here they were fearing Saturday night would be a failure! Volstagg cheers. Such times! Such bravery! Well, as long as there will be no more trouble, he must be going, Cap tries to excuse himself. Alan suggests he stay (hugged by Volstagg). These guys are such a laugh! Thor orders drinks for all and insists he stay. Oh, what the heck, Cap agrees. Just a quick one then…
Lots of drinks later, Thor and the Warriors Three stagger out of the pub, dimly remembering they were going somewhere. Covered with lipstick kisses, Fandral tells Thor he likes his Captain friend. What a lovely fellow. His friend? He though he was Fandral’s friend. He is lovely though, Volstagg decides. Lovely lovely lovely. Anyway, they cleaned most of Thor’s gastric extrusion off his nice suit…
As they get back to the carriage, Hogun points out that they shouldn’t be driving in their condition. His condition is most pleasing to him, Thor replies, thank you very much. Volstagg points out it doesn’t matter. The goats will navigate. They home. He also remarks Fandral and the serving wench were getting along nicely. Becky’s a charming girl, Fandral agrees, but he suspects she might be a witch. She attempted to place a curse on him by making strange marks on a piece of paper and slipping it into his pocket, fortunately he spotted the ruse and burned it in time.
Thor suggests they get going but already they are back in front of Jane’s house. He thanks them for the night. Volstagg is regretful about not being able to take him home to Asgard, but Odin is most strict about such matters. They shall inform him of Thor’s success. Thor wishes them farewell. Then: for Odin’s sake! How did the Captain put it? “You are my best mates, you are!” he tells them and hugs them.
Fandral gives Thor the Bukkehorn, explaining its enchantment works three times for each owner. After that, the hornbearer must offer it to another worthy soul, lest it crumble to dust. His time with the horn is over. He knows Thor will use it wisely. And with that they disappear.
Thor enters Jane apartment. She isn’t there yet and has left him a note that she’s out with her friends. A little later, she arrives, slightly tipsy. Both sink down on the couch. She tells him she had a nice night with the girls Had a drink. Didn’t talk about him at all. Where did he go? Just a tavern in an old part of town… Sounds nice, she mutters. It was, he reminisces. He made a friend…


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

[Assistant]
The Boss
(The Raft. Maximum Security Penitentiary)
One of the security guards enters the warden’s office and tells him the prisoners and Mr. Cage have arrived. The warden clicks a button on his keyboard and tells the officer, Gillam, that he is well aware of it. It’s hard to miss the new federal transports. Outside, a huge flying ship heads towards the island on which the Raft is located. As it approaches the huge, fortress-like building, Luke Cage tells one of the vessel commanders, Marshal, that he appreciates the lift.
She tells Cage the shuttle taking the enhanced prisoners to the raft is about to leave and he had better catch it. They are standing next to an open hatch looking down on the island. He tells them that two of his people are in the courtyard and he wants to meet them first. She wonders what he means and Resnik, another security officer, chirps up and says they could have a mini-V.T.O.L take him down. Marshal tells him that’s not what Cage wants; he wants to be seen as separate from the government and the prison. And that’s because he is. With that, Luke Cage throws his rucksack out of the aircraft and then jumps out himself.
(One Week Ago. Office of Steve Rogers, Former Captain America)
Steve Rogers is stood in his office talking to Luke Cage. Cage asks why him; Steve knows his history. He was framed; he had to go to a place like that. Steve tells him he knows him and he had every bad break life could have dealt. But he turned it around and became an Avenger, that’s the kind of leader this programme needs. He tells Cage he doesn’t want to paint him a glowing picture. Basically, the state department is using the Thunderbolts to clean up the mess H.A.M.M.E.R. left behind. But he thinks Cage has an opportunity to turn the lives of some people around. Osborn shouldn’t have had such a talent pool to draw upon when he rose to power. They are fooling themselves if they think there is no one else out there waiting to put a team like that together again. Steve says he wants to prevent that from happening and asks Cage if he’ll take it on.
(present)
Cage hurtles towards the Raft. He passes through the upper force field shielding the prison and lands with a loud bang in the middle of the courtyard, much to the surprise of some of the prisoners. The Fixer commends his entrance and Cage greets him. They bump fists and the Fixer tells him to call him Bert. Cage tells the Fixer that he thought he would get moving on the Thunderbolts given that they have to be up and running within a week. His gear shows that the first of the team, the super hacker, is out there in the courtyard. The Fixer points to a man sitting down against one of the walls. He says that no one has been able to find out his name; they only know of him as Ghost. The man they are looking at is think and haggard-looking with short tufted hair. Flies circle him as he inspects the soles of his bare feet.
Cage walks over to Ghost and says that a lot of people aren’t crazy about how he went after Iron Man. But he also came out against Osborn during the siege of Asgard. He is on the fence, apparently ready to be pushed one way or the other. Cage picks up his duffle bag and reaches his hand inside. He pulls out Ghost’s helmet and tells him he has read his profile ten times. He hands him the helmet, which he promptly takes and places on his head. He tells Cage that he feels he would be an asset to his team and he won’t even kill Stark, should they meet. Cage takes the helmet off him and tells him a guard will bring him to the tower later that day.
Cage and the Fixer head towards the woman’s wing of the prison. As they enter, the female prisoners gather round. Titania, in her prison orange jumpsuit, points to Cage and declares that someone got her request for a man. One of the other women shouts up that he’s here for her conjugal visit. Cage ignores them and meets with Songbird. As the prisoners continue to shout inappropriate comments at him, Songbird tells them they are cruder in this section. Cage looks around and says he won’t be coming here much. As the guards usher away the other women, Cage says for them to notify the next member fast.
The go up to Moonstone, who is now in a prison jumpsuit and has her hair in scruffy bunches. Before Cage can say anything, she asks what took them so long. She tells him the Thunderbolts are nothing without her and then demands her costume be pressed. As she walks away, Cage tells her that Songbird will bring her up to the tower later. She smiles and says to let the chef know she has a peanut allergy.
Songbird glares at her as she walks away and then tells Cage she’s a bad choice. She been through the program and it didn’t help. Cage looks at a holographic display on his wristband and recites the data from it. Powerful fighter, quick to adapt, his identity issues, prone to create tension/drama, manipulative, vulnerable to authority figures and eager for attention. Songbird turns to him and says that’s a bad mix. He agrees with her and then informs her it was actually her profile he was reading.
(three days ago, office of the warden)
Luke Cage and some government operatives are reviewing the proposed list for the Thunderbolts team. He reads off the names and then stops when he gets to Cain Marko. One of the other men tells him he is most commonly associated with… or running foul of… the X-Men. He has a link to an extra-dimensional entity that feeds him endless kinetic power. Once he begins charging, he’s unstoppable. He lives up to the name “Juggernaut.”
(present)
Cage is walking down the wing of the Ultra block, which is designed for the most powerful prisoners. They come to Cain’s cell and find him sitting glumly in the small room. He tells them to keep their geeks away from him he doesn’t want any more scans. He turns and realizes that Luke Cage is there and says he put his name in the pool for a joke. Cage enters the cell and says that someone thought it was funny because he is on the first team if he wants it. Cain tells him he’s losing his mind in the cell. Get him out and he’ll run anyone down that they want.
Cage recalls back to his meeting and one of the government officials says that sometimes Cain is on the side of angels and sometimes he’s out for blood. Another official adds that the entity may influence it. Cage is still unsure of the candidate. He’s all over the place and, if he’s going to take him into critical situations, he doesn’t want someone powerful who might snap.
Cage tells Cain that he knows the first time he’s on a mission he will bolt. Cain gets up close and snarls at him that he has his word and tells him he’s on his side. Cage snarls back and says that he barely made the cut; if he threatens him again, he’ll get a smaller cell. He points out Cain has slid down the power scale since his run-in with Captain Universe. He tells Cain that he’s serious about him learning to shut up. If he had his way, he wouldn’t have even been considered for the team. Cain asks why they’re talking then.
(flashback)
Cage mentally recalls the earlier meeting he had. As he discusses Cain with the government officials, Professor Xavier interrupts. He astrally projects his head into the room and tells the group that Cain needs an opportunity like this and it will benefit from him too. He begs the group to use his half-brother and offers to take all the responsibility. Cage tells him he’ll hold him to it.
(present)
As Cage walks away from Cain’s cell, he tells him someone put in a good word for him. He approaches another cell which houses a man, sitting calmly on his bed.
(flashback)
Back in the earlier meeting, Cage gets to the next name on the list… Crossbones. He stands up and immediately tells them no way. He asks if any of them remembers that he shot Captain America. They tell him this is where they strongly considered the group dynamic. Any group forms natural alliances and they want them to gravitate towards Cage. They need a polar opposite they won’t identify with. Cage says he understands the reasoning but asks them what if they do identify with them.
(present)
Cage walks up to Crossbones in his cell and tells him that he’s been assigned to the Thunderbolts. He turns to Cage and asks if he gets to kill. Cage ignores the question and walks out, telling him that someone will be there for him in thirty minutes.
A guard shows Cage to Abe Jenkins’s working area, which has an opening to the roof on it. Abe flies through the opening using his heavy duty armour. As he lands, Cage greets him as Mach IV but he is corrected that it’s Mach V now. He upgraded the armour whilst he was doing the Raft’s security systems. Cage asks if it’s tight and Abe tells him that they have a number of redundancies built into the system. He’s not saying it’s foolproof but it’s adaptable. These are special people they are dealing with; someone is going to break out. But no one will be breaking out that way again. Abe says he had a lot of time to think about it as he was finishing off his sentence there. Cage commends him for coming back to the place after being on the other side.
They go to another area of the Raft. As they head to the lift, Abe says he feels he owes the Thunderbolts and wants to make it work. The team saved his life. If he hadn’t have gotten it back on track, he would have been one of those casualties in the siege in Oklahoma. Cage says that’s what he wants this team to be. Abe tells him to remember he can’t fix them all. Abe says he probably wants to see the transport. Cage gets excited at that but notes the lift is going down and not up. As they walk through some underground corridors, Cage asks if they have a pilot of whether he will need to train. Abe remains shady and tells him he’ll just have to wait and see. They head towards a room and Cage is still guessing whether it’s another Zeus or a Quinjet.
They walk into a small room to see Hank Pym operating some equipment. He tells them they asked him to work on their transportation. He tells him he appreciates it but he assumed Stark would whip up a Quinjet or Mach V would upgrade the Zeus. Pym says it sounds like they want the team to be ready for quick global and low-key travel. He saw the opportunity to continue his line of thought from the Infinite Mansion the Avengers had. He heads through an archway and says that he found out about a capture that H.A.M.M.E.R. made and the feds were now saddled with. They walk up to a huge round door with a small circular window in it. Pym says that it’s a very unique creature that he has been curious about for years. Cage stares through the window amazed at the creature on the other side.
He realizes that he is staring at Man-Thing. Pym confirms it is and says he will have to get used to him because he is their Quinjet. They stare at Man-Thing, who is standing in the middle of a lush swamp as butterflies flutter about him.
Cage tells Pym he’s lost him. Pym explains that one of the wonders of his work in teleportation is the natural wonder in the Everglades where Man-Thing lived. It’s a nexus of time and space and Man-Thing has a special connection to it, probably because he’s made of the organic material that originates there. Pym opens the door and continues to tell Cage that Man-Thing can naturally manipulate the nexus to open up alternate realities for him. But Pym is building an implant that will allow them to travel over the globe. Cage says he’s all for teleportation but maybe they could get a mutant, some of them do that.
They enter the habitat and Man-Thing slowly walks towards them. Pym says they need to use him to keep him alive. The feds want him destroyed because he is linked to a number of deaths over the years but Pym thinks he’s a one-of-a-kind life form that needs protecting. Cage tells Pym that he doesn’t think anywhere near the box. As Man-Thing stands towering over him, Cage asks if it can talk. Pym says not that he has seen but he believes it’s cognizant; just in a different way from them. Cage asks if it has to do anything to open a shortcut to which Pym informs him it will all be done by him. Pym adds in a “but,” which Cage picks up on. Pym explains that Man-Thing is an empath and it doesn’t like it when people are afraid. It makes him emit a chemical that’s caustic to any organism; even Cage’s skin wouldn’t like it.
Cage says he may as well meet him now. He addresses Man-Thing and says he knows he doesn’t want to be there but there isn’t much that can be done about it. He says he hopes they can get along. Man-Thing just stares at him with his intense red eyes. Cage holds out his hand and Man-Thing takes hold of it. The relieved men smile and Cage says he’s obviously in the club.
Later on the new recruits, kitted out in their uniforms, are being escorted across the jagged stones of the island outside of the Raft. One of them points out that Thunderbolts tower is behind them. Mach V says that they aren’t going to the tower, as it’s not finished yet. Songbird tells them they are going to do manoeuvres on the east side of the island. Moonstone says that, back in the day, they had a lavish training area but now they practice in a seagull toilet. Songbird tells her to keep it shut as Cage is irked enough as it is.
They approach Cage, who is standing on one of the rocks. He tells them that they are a team and it’s a new start. He says that some of them were on the Thunderbolts before but he asks for them to forget about that because it’s not going to be their old routine. They are going to be dealing with some ugly stuff but now it’s for the greater good. For some of them, it will knock serious time off their sentences. He looks at Moonstone and Ghost when he says the later part. Glancing at Juggernaut and Crossbones, he says that for some it won’t matter, as they are lifers. But while they are working for them, they aren’t rotting in their cells. He says that he knows what it’s like; he screwed up as a kid and hung out with the wrong people. He took a fall and it didn’t matter that he wasn’t guilty. His only way out was to volunteer in a lab experiment. That’s how he can do the things he can do. He messed up… it’s a twisted road but it worked out.
He continues his speech but he is suddenly blasted by something from behind. As he falls to the ground, the ocean behind him parts and a huge vessel surges out of it. The Thunderbolts and their handlers look on confused. From inside the vessel, a figure stares out of the windows. It says that a frequency that can kill Cage will most certainly kill them. But he doesn’t want to harm them; he wants to recruits them. The Thunderbolts have always been rightfully his. Their time on the Raft is done and now is the time to serve their true leader… Baron Zemo. Zemo, the original lead of the Thunderbolts, stands in the window in his full costume.


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

[Assistant]
Field Test
(north shore of the maximum security prison the Raft )
Luke Cage lies on the ground, foaming at the mouth. Baron Zemo tells the Thunderbolts that the team was his and will always he his. The idea that his people could ever follow someone else is ludicrous; there will only ever be one leader of the team. Mach V and Songbird both collapse on the floor, also foaming from the mouth. Baron Zemo stands on a rock above the team. He tells them they can thank him with undying loyalty. He tells them to board the craft before the Raft’s defenses kick in.
Crossbones immediately accepts the offer and asks where they are going. Juggernaut says he’s happy to get off the rock but he ain’t going with Zemo. He pushes Zemo out of the way and dives into the ocean. The Juggernaut answers to no one. Zemo angrily orders Moonstone to incinerate Juggernaut. She becomes airborne but grabs Zemo by the collar instead. She asks why she should take orders from him. His memory isn’t what it used to be. He twists around and blasts her full in the face with an energy blast. He asks her if she didn’t think he’d be prepared for her.
He turns to Ghost and asks what he intends to do. Will he embrace freedom or make the same mistake as the others? On the aircraft, Crossbones yells down for Zemo to go. Ghost says he remains unconvinced by the scenario. Zemo fires an energy blast at him but Ghost goes intangible and it misses him. Moonstone flies towards them as tries to go intangible too but Zemo hits her with another blast. Crossbones asks what’s wrong with them… this is a breakout. Ghost tells him it’s not… it’s a test.
Ghost stares at the bodies of the handlers and sees that they are perfectly fine. With his equipment, he can tell they have heartbeats and Songbird’s spiked whenever Moonstone was hit. He tells the team that he assumes they took chemical capsules. Cage sits up and wipes the foam from his mouth and tells them the dry run is over.
Standing on the cliffs, Songbird says they lost Juggernaut. The two look into the ocean but Cage says they didn’t. He says that Marko now needs air just like the scans predicted and now he’s having a hard time keeping his bulk above the water. He tells Mach V to retrieve him before the jellyfish get him. Mach V heads out to Juggernaut as a swarm of jellyfish make their way across the water towards him.
Crossbones angrily pulls out his gun and realizes it was all a trick. Baron Zemo walks towards him and waves his hand which causes him to forcibly lower his gun. Zemo says they wanted to test out some capabilities. Moonstone assumes they wanted to see who would bug out first. Zemo tells her no and then removes his mask to reveal he was Fixer all along. They didn’t expect loyalty… they just wanted to test out the nanite system. He explains they were given micro-bots when they were processed on the Raft. Any of the handlers can incapacitate any of the team at any time, regardless of the range. He adds that Moonstone also has additional nanites in her cortex to stop her from manipulating molecules without permission. She angrily tells him she needs those powers, to which Songbird tells her that flight, strength and laser beams should be enough for anyone.
Ghost is impressed and guesses that Juggernaut was given more nanites. Mach V flies in carrying Juggernaut. He says that he wasn’t given extra nanites… they just wanted to confirm what their scans showed. Juggernaut has lost a lot of his ability. It takes him a lot more space he needs to gain a full kinetic run. Plus he also needs air and he can’t regenerate or burn the nanites out. Ghost asks how they did it but Songbird replies that they didn’t. After Juggernaut’s possession by the enigma force, he seems to have ticked off the entity that gives him his powers.
Enraged by hearing this, Juggernaut picks himself up off the floor and starts to charge at Cage. Cage calmly says he needs to test out his tech and he pushes a button on his wristband. The massive Juggernaut collapses face first on the ground right at Cage’s feet. Ghost says the message is clear… they are under control. Cage agrees and says that Ghost’s suit is also wired, so they can shut it off. Moonstone says that, back in the original Thunderbolts, they at least pretended like they had rights.
Cage spins around to her and asks if she thinks she deserves any consideration. He wouldn’t have picked a single one of them… he thinks the council was out of their minds. But he wasn’t going into the field without a dry run and now he knows what they can and can’t do. He walks away and says their first mission is tomorrow and then orders them to get back to the Raft. Songbird turns to Fixer and tells him he does a really good Zemo.
(later)
Songbird and Mach V are walking through the men’s cell area. Mach V says he can’t believe Songbird is there. She tells him she turns the sound off so she doesn’t have to hear anything. She says she thought Luke would be there but he tells her Fixer took him to the infirmary to meet the new warden.
Fixer is escorting Cage through the infirmary wing. They walk past one of the rooms where a large ogre-like creature is about to be probed by a doctor. Fixer says not everyone in the Raft is a prisoner, some are brought there to receive medical treatment until they can stand trial. Cage asks why the warden is there. Fixer tells him he has to be checked over due to his injuries from the Asgard fight. Cage says he’s surprised he’s back so soon. As they continue walking the creature from the room they just passed throws up, spraying vomit out into the corridor. Fixer says lots of people had reservations about the warden but the feds wanted to show him support and thanks. Plus, he demanded to be back in service and this was what was available for someone in his condition.
They enter another room and Fixer introduces Cage to the new warden… John Walker aka U.S. Agent. Walker sits in a wheelchair and greets Cage. His left arm has been replaced with a crude prosthetic one and he has a number of small devices on him that a doctor is using to take some medical readings. Cage asks him how he’s holding up, to which Walker replies that he’s alive and that’s a gift and he’s not going to waste that life with regrets. He changes the subject to the Thunderbolts and comments that Cage is taking them on their first mission tomorrow. Cage confirms it and says he wanted to get the hang of things before they go into a real hostage situation. Cage’s phone starts ringing and he excuses himself as it’s his wife Jessica.
As Cage takes the call Fixer reminds Walker that he can fit him with advanced prosthetics. Walker cuts him off and says he’s not being some cyborg like the slime that made him that way. They look across the infirmary to a stasis chamber containing the unconscious body of Nuke inside. The doctor looking after Nuke says that they have some radical stimulus therapy that might help out with his coma. But Walker tells him no and to save his efforts for cases with more chance of reform. As Walker leaves, Fixer asks the doctor what he thought he’d say.
Afterwards in Thunderbolts Tower, the team is meeting there for the first time. Cage tells them that they now know what they’re working with and they know not to ditch. He adds that Crossbones will not have any lethal ammo in his magazines. Crossbones looks at one of the magazine clips and sneers at the concussion tips. He also gets a tranquilizer gun and wireless tasers. Moonstone whispers that he’s been de-clawed. Initiating the large computer consol behind him, he tells them that their first mission is light work to make sure they can work together or they’re out.
He explains that, when Asgard was recently destroyed, a lot of rubble was dropped over Broxton, Oklahoma. In the city was a holding cell for some of the Asgardian enemies known as trolls. Most were killed in the destruction but there are reports of three trolls tearing up everything in their path. Juggernaut scoffs at the fact they are going after trolls. Cage tells him that they may not seem much but they’ve killed people and they need to be brought in alive. Cain puts on a fake smile and says he will stomp their “hobbits” and then asks where the transport is. Cage smiles back and tells them it’s time for them to meet it.
The team enters Man-Thing’s habitat and wade through the swamp. They are confused as to why they are there and are shocked when they see Man-Thing emerge from the murky water. Songbird tells them he has a natural connection with a convergence of space and time. Hank Pym has made them an implant so they can “steer” him to any point in the world. Just don’t touch it. As the team stares at Man-Thing Moonstone comments that the program is even weirder than it used to be. As Cage messes with the device on his wrist, he tells everyone to hold their positions as he’s still getting the hang of it.
Eventually, the world around them starts to glow red and blur and they are transported to their location. They arrive in a grassy meadow with trees around them. Ghost seems impressed that it was much smoother than the teleporter in the Vault. Cage says that, based on sightings, this is the most likely area for the trolls to be. Just as he says that, two giant trolls jump out of the trees and crash into the team. As the trolls run off, Cage commends the software and orders Songbird to stay with Man-Thing to keep him out of trouble.
The rest of the team picks themselves off the ground prepare for a fight. Moonstone and Juggernaut give chase, while Crossbones and Ghost hang back. Crossbones is jealous the other two are going to get the trolls before he can but Ghost informs him another troll is nearby. Juggernaut rips through the trees after the trolls but is told off by Cage for tearing through the forest. As Juggernaut continues his rampage, he is suddenly struck by a tree that was pulled back and released by one of the trolls. As Juggernaut is catapulted away, Cage lunges at the troll. He knocks it down but the other troll attacks and jumps on him. The trolls manage to get away again as Cage staggers to his feet.
He radios Songbird to let her know they are headed to her. She spots them and creates a wall of sound to corral them. However, they jump at the solid pink wall with such force they knock Songbird back. As they run away yet again, Songbird tells Cage they are stronger than they look, and they don’t look weak. She turns to Man-Thing, who had just stood still watching the whole scene unfold. She sarcastically thanks him for the help but he just stares vacantly at her.
Moonstone is flying over the forest and she spots the running trolls. She swoops down and blasts one of the trees in half. She then picks up the top and slams it into the trolls, sending them crashing to the ground.
Elsewhere, Crossbones and Ghost are hunting a third troll. Ghost spots it in the distance and Crossbones opens fire on it. He sprays it with bullets but it doesn’t fall. Instead, it grabs an axe and swipes a nearby tree, causing it to collapse on Crossbones. He just manages to dive out the way before it hits him.
Moonstone yells for Cage and he arrives to see Moonstone is using the tree to pin the two trolls to the ground with. Before he can do anything, he hears a loud rumbling and turns to see Juggernaut charging at them. He yells for him to stop but he is ignored and Juggernaut collides with the tree, destroying it and sending Cage, Moonstone and the trolls flying.
Ghost radios through to find out what the sound was, but he is suddenly ambushed by the third troll, who looks much smaller and more humanoid than the other two. The troll swings its axe and hits Ghost. His arm is wounded and sparks come off his damaged suit. He stares in shock at his arm, as he was intangible yet the axe still hit him. He wonders what could compromise his suit and he looks out to see the half eaten corpses of two men in the distance. He looks up to see the troll is in fact a young girl wearing the skin of a dead troll as clothing. She brings her axe up ready to slam it down on him.


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

[Assistant]
None
(twenty miles outside Broxton, Oklahoma)
As the girl dressed as a troll prepares to swing her axe down on Ghost, he radios Luke Cage for assistance. He says that a godly weapon has damaged his suit and he can’t go intangible. As the girl yells and swings the axe, Ghost says he’s about to be bifurcated. Before the axe hits him, however, the girl is hit in the head with a bullet. She collapses in the ground and Ghost thanks Crossbones for saving him. As crossbones puts his gun back in its holder, Cage as what that was. He grabs Crossbones by the neck and pins him to a tree. He asks if any of them can follow orders and says the trolls were to be brought in alive.
Gasping for breath, Crossbones says he didn’t kill her. Picking up on the fact that it’s a female, Cage drops Crossbones and walks towards the hunched troll. Crossbones says he used a dart and shot her in the ear to make sure it would penetrate. Ghost and Cage look at her, lying on the ground and wonder why she doesn’t look like the others.
(Thunderbolts Tower)
The girl, now out of her troll skin suit, is lying in a hospital bed. Valkyrie, Cage and Songbird stand over her. Valkyrie says that she is one of theirs and her mother was captured by the Magzi, the most feral type of troll. Her father was a troll and so the Magzi raised her as their own because of her heritage. Recently she was captured alongside some of her tribe. She was given the name Gunna after her late mother but attempts to bring her into the Norse culture failed. That’s why she was being held with the trolls when Asgard was destroyed. Cage thanks Valkyrie for coming to identify her. She says it her responsibility to the All-father. She can have Heimdall take her to her new home.
John Walker enters in his wheelchair and says that won’t be happening. She, along with the other trolls, apparently ate U.S. citizens. She will be held there until a jury can rule on her fate. Valkyrie points out that, had one of their governments’ experiments-gone-wrong not destroyed Asgard, then they wouldn’t be in this situation. Walker retorts that he seems to remember a soldier field being wiped out full of his people. Cage steps in at this point and tries to calm things. He says that they are going to need Steve Rogers to step in and weigh in on this, as it falls under his authority. Valkyrie says she will accept that. It will be a while before he has the time for it, so in the meantime Gunna will remain there. Walker leaves and says he expects Rogers to “render unto Caesar.” Valkyrie says they will abide by his judgment too and then leaves.
Looking weary cage tells Songbird he didn’t think he’d have to deal with the prison stuff. She says he defused the situation nicely. He thanks her and turns to leave. He has just gotten word on another mission for the morning. Songbird informs him that one of the boys will have to water Man-Thing, as she has to orientate Gunna in the women’s wing. Cage says to welcome her to the prison and to try and not eat anyone.
(the next morning)
In Thunderbolts Tower, Cage tells the team they’ve got two dead bodies on the last mission. They’re either hopeless or stupid; he doesn’t know which. Juggernaut pipes up and says they were eating people but Cage cuts him off and informs him that the only reason he’s back is because they have a priority mission and there isn’t time to process a new member.
He clicks a button and the computer screen brings up a map. He tells them that, when H.A.M.M.E.R. took over from S.H.I.E.L.D., they shut down a lot of critical operations without warning. One of those was high clearance, only known to a few directorates. So, when it was closed down, no one knew to follow up on it. Months ago, a squad of agents was investigating what they believed was a new vein of the Terrigen Mists. Ghost informs the others that the Terrigen Mists form mutagenic gas. Cage confirms this and says that some of them may know the Inhumans. When an Inhuman child comes of age, they are subjected to the Mists to trigger their powers. The squad was there to confirm if there were crystals and then to seal off the caverns. No one has heard from them since.
Yesterday, a U.N. team went in and now they haven’t been heard from since. Moonstone makes a sarcastic comment and Crossbones asks Cage if they are getting rid of them and starting a new team. Cage jokingly tells Crossbones that he’s right; he wants them all dead and for the program to look like a complete failure. Fixer walks in carrying a tray. Cage tells Crossbones that everyone except for him should be able to resist mutation from the Mists. Fixer says he has a micro-oxygen supply for him to wear and the rest should be fine with filters up their noses. Ghost can attach oxygen canisters to his suit. Cage says they are going to look for survivors and to finish what they started. As they head down to Man-Thing’s habitat, Moonstone asks if they have to go down there every time. Ghost tells her he likes it. Fixer informs Cage that Mach V will be steering Man-Thing on the mission.
(New Guinea)
Using Man-Thing, the team teleports to the jungles of New Guinea. They appear outside a huge cave entrance with a U.N. truck parked nearby. Cage points to another vehicle hidden under some camo tarpaulin and says that the S.H.I.E.L.D agents never got back to their transport. Man-Thing heads into the cave ahead of the team. The rest follow and Juggernaut tells Moonstone she can hang with him if she’s scared of the dark. She calls him a white knight beneath the armor but says she’s got all the light she needs. With that, she emits a red glow from her hands and flies above the rest of them.
Mach V tells them to head down the tunnel to the left as he’s picking up a signature close to what they have for Terrigen. He gets Crossbones to put his mask on. Crossbones informs him he better check on Man-Thing, as he’s going down the other tunnel. He turns to see Man-Thing wandering off in the other direction and so he tells Cage he knows how to contact him. With that, he heads off after Man-Thing. With his hand phased into the tunnel wall, Ghost says he believes he can also detect the crystal signature. Cage chastises him and mutters under his breath that he will zap him when he’s tangible.
Moonstone flies up to cage and tells him they’re an undisciplined lot but some of them know about teamwork. She puts her hand on his shoulder and says that she responds well to alpha males. Her attention is suddenly caught by something on the roof of the tunnel. The corpse of one of the U.N. crew is impaled on a stalactite. She flies up to him but Cage yells for her not to touch it. Cage then radios to Mach V and informs him of the discovery and that he did not die of natural causes. Ghost suddenly phases through the tunnel next to cage, surprising him. He says he’s also found bodies.
He leads them down the tunnel to the emaciated bodies of the S.H.I.E.L D. agents. Juggernaut comments that they look like mummies now and they practically starved to death. Crossbones says that the team only got there yesterday and he would know that if he paid attention in the briefing. Juggernaut starts to pick a fight with Crossbones but Cage interrupts and tells them to cool it or he will face plant both of them. They see another U.N. agent impaled on a stalagmite. Ghost stares at him and guesses that the emaciated condition may have been caused by the Mists. Cage tells him that doesn’t account for the one stuck on the ceiling.
Moonstone suddenly yells that she’s found the crystals. They enter an area of the cave that is covered in white crystals growing from the walls and floor and a think veil of gas hangs in the air. Cage tells Crossbones to get his mask on. Ghost flies to the crystals and theorizes that the agents were there to gather crystals to create a private army. He spots something in the crystals and grabs it. It’s a hard drive from the original S.H.I.E.L.D. team. He takes a moment to access it and determines it has twelve terabytes of data on it. Ghost seems a little too excited at the discovery and Moonstone looks away, feeling she shouldn’t be watching him access the drive. Juggernaut asks if they will get more powers if they use the crystals, but Ghost tells him not all Terrigen is suitable and some doses can be damaging. Many who are exposed to the gases become mindless individuals known as alpha primitives. He suddenly finds something useful on the drive. There is a vein of uranium underneath the crystals and they have channeled it, corrupting the gasses.
Hearing this, Juggernaut realizes the place is radioactive and Cage tells them they don’t need to stand there any more; they can send a robot in to finish the job. He radios Mach V but he gets a broken and crackly response. He can only make out the words “surrounded” and “need” before the line goes silent. Cage runs down the tunnel towards where Mach V is and he tells the rest of the team to head outside and wait for him. Ghost says his suit protects him so he’ll go too. Crossbones goes to leave but Juggernaut says he ain’t buying it. He thinks it’s another fake out to see what they’ll do. Moonstone disagrees and says she thinks he’s following procedure. Crossbones asks whether the test is to see if they will go outside or help Cage. Juggernaut says he doesn’t know but Moonstone says that they don’t grasp the concept. Cage is a hero and he puts himself before others and with that she goes to fly after Cage. Juggernaut asks if she’s heroic all of a sudden but she replies she isn’t but she recognizes it when she sees it.
Juggernaut yells after her and says he’s saved the day plenty of times and re-asserts his belief that it’s some stunt to make him act noble. Crossbones suddenly spots a bag dropped by the S.H.I.E.L.D agents. He opens it to see what goodies they left. After looking what’s inside, he says he will back Cage up if he gets to use them.
Cage runs down one of the tunnels with a flare to light his way. He tries to contact Mach V and finally gets a response. Mach says they have him pinned and they knocked his helmet off. Cage soon spots Mach V fighting with a twisted mass of organic material. He jumps at it and tries to rip it off Mach V, who tells him not to let it touch him, as it almost made him pass out when it touched his face. As he fights it, he sees that it contains lots of tentacles and mouths and has numerous dark red eyes scattered over it. The creature grabs Cage by the arm and he screams in agony. As it takes hold of him by an arm and leg he asks what is on them as it hurt. He suddenly realizes he can’t see. Mach V spots that Cage is about to be fed to a huge mouth, full of sharp pointy teeth. He shoots the tentacles holding him and Cage crashes to the ground. The mouth lurches after Cage as he lies on the floor. He can’t see it but he can feel it’s close, as it hovers over his head, dribbling on him.
Moonstone suddenly enters and punches it away using an energy blast. She rips it open and throws it towards the other side of the tunnel. Ghost phases through the wall and examines the creature. As Moonstone keeps the creature down with ranged blasts, Ghost goes up to Cage. He says he believes the creatures are the S.H.I.E.L.D. agents they came there to find. Another creature grabs Moonstone round the neck as Ghost explains that they are likely feeding off the radiation as well as other organisms. The creature throws the screaming Moonstone towards Ghost. Elsewhere in the cave complex, Man-Thing hears the scream.
As a dazed Moonstone lies on the floor, Ghost goes up to an unconscious Mach V and hovers over him. He says he would rather he remain unaware of his armor override feature as he phases into Mach V’s suit. The creature is now licking Moonstone but Ghost, operating Mach V, blasts it apart with his gun. Cage, thinking it’s Abe operating the armor, commends him and then points down the tunnel at more creatures crawling along the walls and ceiling.
They are suddenly distracted by a rumbling sound. Juggernaut crashes into the area at high speed and slams into one of the creatures, spraying the area with blood and guts. He stands up and looks around. He eggs the creatures on as he drips with blood. However, he suddenly cries out in pain as his arms start to burn. Crossbones, carrying a handheld rotary cannon, and Man-Thing enter the scene. They meet up with Mach V and realize it’s up to them now, as the rest of the team lies injured around them.


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

[Assistant]
None
Warden John Walker aka U.S. Agent gives his report on the events of 8-18. The federal supermax facility protocol requires a full composite log of the entire day, so he is personally questioning each employee on the Raft. Security tech advisor Norbert Ebersol aka The Fixer traces the blackout to a localized electromagnetic pulse, not a system failure. This suggests an outside factor from either of two developments earlier in the day. The first involves the arranged tour of a group of powered youths from the Avengers Academy. Hank Pym arranged the visit with Luke Cage as part of a “scared straight” program with the Thunderbolts.
The second scenario involves the Thunderbolts themselves, who were still in a cave in New Guinea looking for lost S.H.I.E.L.D. and U.N. teams. The S.H.I.E.L.D. squad had been mutated by the Terrigen Mist and had incapacitated Moonstone, Cage and Juggernaut. This left Crossbones, Juggernaut and Man-Thing to retaliate.
(flashback)
In the cave in New Guinea, the corrupted S.H.I.E.L.D. agents advance on the remaining Thunderbolts. Ghost, inhabiting the armor of the unconscious Mach V, tells Crossbones not to let them touch his skin. Crossbones realizes Ghost is in the Mach V armor and so Ghost tells him that the creatures touched Abe’s skin. Crossbones tells Ghost to go low whilst he goes high with the handheld rotary cannon he found. Crossbones slaughters the creatures in a spray of bloody gunfire. Ghost is sorrier at his part in the ensuing carnage but he still does so.
Further back in the cave, Moonstone comes around to find a one of the creatures advancing on her. Its long tongue is seeking her out and it is mere feet away. The tongue reaches out to her but, before it can make contact, it is grabbed by the swampy hand of Man-Thing. The monster screams in pain and wraps its tentacles around Man-Thing. Moonstone can only watch, musing on how she will stay on Man-Thing’s good side, as he rips the creature apart.
Juggernaut is recovering after being burned by the creatures. He spots one crawling towards him and so he pushes a boulder at it, squashing it into the cave wall. Luke Cage gets to his feet and sees Mach V fighting the creatures. He calls out to him but Ghost tells him that Abe is unconscious but his armor is proving useful. Nearly all the creatures have been killed but Crossbones spots one trying to escape. He drops his rotary cannon and goes after it with a smaller gun. He approaches it and says he loves it best when their heads explode with hollow point rounds. He shoots the creature, spraying blood everywhere. As he kills it, though, he slips on some blood and he falls down a slope to where the Terrigen crystals are growing. He lands next to them and accidentally inhales some of the mist.
Cage yells to him and gathers the team together. He realizes there’s no helping the
S.H.I.E.L.D. agents but his team is still together. Man-Thing carries a very grateful Moonstone and Ghost continues to operate Mach V’s armor as Abe’s pulse is still very low. Cage tells them they are going back to get medical attention and to be decontaminated. But before they do that, they need to make sure no one ever enters the cave again. He gets Juggernaut to close the entrance up. He marvels aloud how they got lucky today as none of them ended up like the S.H.I.E.L.D. agents, oblivious to the silent stare from Crossbones, who keeps quiet about his dose of the mutagenic mist.
In the medical bay on the Raft, the doctor is examining the team and she confirms everyone is free of contaminants, which surprises Crossbones. Cage asks about Mach V, who is lying unconscious in another bed. The doctor says they expect him to make a full recovery but he should be out of commission for a few weeks. Juggernaut asks if they will be reamed for using deadly force. He says they won’t because the report says reversing Terrigen mutations is impossible. Those S.H.I.E.L.D agents had to go down or more innocents would have died.
Moonstone says that she thought the cave floor would be the last thing she saw. But it was all worth it for forcing Ghost to have a shower. She watches as Ghost, now out of his armor, is lead out of a shower by a guard. Fixer contacts Cage on his wrist device and tells him that Hank Pym has brought the Avengers Academy kids for a visit. He tells him he’ll be right there and he tells the team to get back to the tower.
(present)
John Walker continues his report and says that the blackout happened shortly after the arrival of the students. Though the Thunderbolts required more time to recuperate, they managed to meet with the Academy kids. Cage had Moonstone and Ghost sent back to their cells, as he was unsatisfied with what they told the kids. Ten minutes later, the power grid went down. The emergency walls would hold until the power grid kicked back in but walker knew some of the prisoners were out. He knew the guards A.I. guns were disabled, so his first thought was to contain the prisoners who were out. Walker entered one of the cell blocks to find some of the prisoners walking free.
(flashback)
Luke Cage is tasked with finding three of the students who had gone missing. He sends Juggernaut in one direction while he goes in another. Fixer contacts Cage and says he has the comm. system up. Cage asks about the force fields and Fixer says he’s working on it, although he could really do with Mach V. Cage asks if Songbird can help but she replies that she doesn’t know what a node looks like and she has her hands full. She is using her sonic powers to plug up a hole in the bars in the women’s wing. In a nearby cell, Moonstone says she would help but Luke caged her.  Songbird yells that she knows she can rip open the bars so help or shut up. Moonstone still won’t help but, in the cage next to her, Gunna uses her strength to bend the bars of her cell so she can get out.
Outside Man-Thing’s habitat, the guard, Dennis, sends out a distress call. He is lying injured against the wall. He tells them he was opening the door to test the nitrogen levels when the power went out. He says Man-Thing has now escaped.
Elsewhere, Juggernaut rips open a door looking for the kids to find two prisoners assaulting a guard. They are holding him upside down, each one holding a leg. Juggernaut walks up to them and they tell him the guard is nothing without his weapons and armor. Juggernaut tells them it’s a little easy though. One of them says the Thunderbolts have tamed him and they ain’t letting him go ever. They’ve got nothing to lose, so they are going to eat the guard’s heart. He is never getting out but the other guards will respect him when they remember their friend. Juggernaut calls them a couple of quitters for not trying to escape when they have the chance. One of them says that the out section is sealed off, no one is getting out. Juggernaut says no one can stop the Juggernaut. The prisoners throw the guard to the floor and ask Juggernaut to lead the way.
Fixer contacts Cage and says his gear should be online now. As his wristband springs to life, Cage replies that he is able to get into the secure sections now. He enters the area and sees Grey Gargoyle with his head jammed in a cog mechanism. A voice comes from behind him and says the Gargoyle uses his head to stop the bars from dropping. But even the killers around here can’t open the bars with all their muscles. Cage sees the Purple Man and a team of prisoners walking towards him. He says Cage should have known he was in there, what with all the good times they’ve had in the past. He asks how Jessica is and says he hasn’t seen her in ages. Cage shuts the door of the secure area and prepares to fight.
In his area, Walker leaps from his wheelchair and punches one of the prisoners in the face. Swinging off him, he spins and kicks another. As he floors the first one, he swipes his prosthetic arm and slashes a third across the face. All three prisoners are knocked out on the floor and he stands over them, balancing on his good leg. Other prisoners approach him, but he asks who else wants to be top dog. One of them walks up to him with his wheelchair and he orders them all back to their cells.
In the women’s wing, Songbird is being overpowered by the prisoners. She yells for Moonstone but no help comes. She falls to the ground but still keeps up a force field. The prisoners starts to overpower her but, just as they are about to kill her, Gunna jumps into the fray. She fights the prisoners as an annoyed Moonstone looks on. Songbird gets back up and helps Gunna. Moonstone rips the bars off her cell and uses them to block the rest of the prisoners. She claims she saved the day but Songbird points out she was only there for the photofinish… Gunna was the one who saved the day.
Luke Cage runs into the prisoners, sending them flying. In a flurry of kicks and punches, he takes out every single prisoner except for the Purple Man, who was standing and watching. With his hands in his pockets, he tells Cage that the job hasn’t made him soft. Cage replies that he’s going to see firsthand. The Purple Man points out he can control Cage’s mind but Cage tells him he can’t. He has nanites in his that are designed for one purpose… to negate the Purple Man’s power. With that, he walks up to the villain and head buts him, knocking him out.
Outside the Raft, Juggernaut has made a hole through the walls and the two prisoners are escaping. They jump into the water as Juggernaut looks on from inside the Raft. Cage radios over and says the kids have been found but he needs him to round up Man-Thing. He watches as the two prisoners are assaulted by the jellyfish that live in the waters around the island.
(present)
Warden Walker continues his report on the day. The cell force fields were at full power again in thirty-one minutes. Three guards were hospitalized and several prisoners were injured. Two remain in critical condition after encountering the islands bio-defenses. No one escaped. Three of Pym’s students took advantage of the blackout to go after Norman Osborn. No one was happy with this outcome and the scared straight program has been suspended. Whilst the time to the system restart should have been shortened and they still need to pinpoint the cause, he is satisfied nonetheless. The word is already spreading about the chaos of the day and how it ended. The reputation of the Raft is growing.


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

[Assistant]
Lightning in Shadows
(The Raft)
Songbird and the Fixer are escorting the Thunderbolts through a cell block. Karla Sofen, aka Moonstone, asks her wardens what they mean when they say they can’t go into Thunderbolts towers. Fixer says that Luke isn’t in so they will have to have lunch with the general population. Karla says she can’t eat that swill and Cain Marko, aka Juggernaut, asks when Luke is getting back. Songbird replies that she doesn’t know. John Walker, the head warden, comes up to her in his wheelchair and says he was curious about that too. He says if Cage isn’t getting his required hours for the week then he will have to report it to the advisory board. Songbird tells him it’s probably just Avengers business. Walker says that he checked in with the Avengers but it’s nothing to do with them. He tells Songbird he knows she and Fixer are more than capable but it was Luke’s rep they okayed on the program. He would hate to see it end before it even started.
After Walker leaves Moonstone says she bets Luke has gone for a little R+R with some little lady friends. Songbird tells Karla to shut up and then pushes her down the corridor towards the mess hall.
In the Avengers mansion, Jessica Jones is on the phone whilst sitting in front of a window. She phones Luke up and asks what happened and if he got through to Matt. When she hears his reply, she says it doesn’t sound like him and asks if Matt might be an imposter.
Outside Daredevil’s palace, Luke says that it was definitely Daredevil who sicced a whole squad of ninja’s on his friends. He has a palace-fortress and he thinks he can use the Hand to clean up New York. As he walks along a street, he says it’s like the Thunderbolts. They’re supposed to be bringing them up but he fears that he is becoming more like them. He tells Jessica he has to go and says to give Danielle a kiss from daddy.
Iron Fist is perched above him in a tree. Luke looks up at him and says he needed more than five minutes alone. Iron Fist apologizes and asks if they are any closer to a plan of attack. He jumps down from the tree and Luke leans against a garbage can. He says he’s sure Daredevil has a weakness that they can exploit that no one else has thought of. Luke slowly says there is and grips the garbage can tightly. Iron Fist asks what it is and Luke slams the can into him. Looking down at the crumpled Iron Fist he quotes his earlier line of “what’s our plan of attack?” The Iron Fist on the floor is in fact a Hand ninja in disguise and, once knocked out, he reveals himself.
A voice comes from behind Luke and says that they’re tricky… they used a spell to look like Iron Fist. But he could tell by the voice, they don’t fool him. Luke turns to see Lacy Kimbro sat on a box, playing his guitar for money. Luke is surprised to see him and Lacy says that he bets Luke thought he was dead. He tells Luke he hasn’t been back to the blocks in some time. He was hoping they would cross paths… it’s got to be providence. He’s been keeping an eye out for his son, Darris. Luke asks if he’s in Hell’s Kitchen. Lacy calls Luke Carl Lucas and says that there are subways all over New York; a man doesn’t have to stay where he’s raised. Luke apologizes and Lacy says that Darris is a policeman and this is where he works. He corrects himself and says this is where he worked. Luke guesses the Hand grabbed him and Lacy confirms it and says he knows where he is being kept.
He says there a whole other level, rumored to have been killed but still living, called the Underhand. He says he never liked the idea of magic but even his old eye can see it’s everywhere now. Lacy points downwards and says these people are down below. Luke asks if he means the sewers and Lacy confirms it. He says that there is a big castle in the sewers like the one on the surface. It’s like purgatory; they ain’t dead if they stay down there. Darris found out about them and so he and his partner went to investigate and they didn’t come back. Luke tells him he needs to get back home. Lacy says he knows but it’s his boy out there and he has to do something. As he leaves he says he did the only thing he could and he told him. He says he knows him… he’ll do the right thing.
In the Raft cafeteria, Troll sniffs something on a tray. Some of the other female prisoners watch her and comment on what she’s doing. Troll picks up the food with her hands much to the amusements of the others. One of the women says to pour her some water into a dish for her to lap out of. Nearby, Songbird and Karla walks over to a table with some food. Songbird asks what’s so funny and Titania replies that the Songbird and Moonstone show just started. Titania asks what it’s going to be today… Will they beat each other up or will the beat the prisoner instead? Karla says it’s going to be both and Titania tells her not to block her view of the cavegirl. Songbird tells her that her name is Gunna. Titania says it doesn’t matter what they call her she doesn’t understand it. So they just call her Troll.
One of the other prisoners says that Troll seems to like Songbird. If she housetrains her, then she can run around and fetch things for her. Another prisoner points out they have a plant on the team, so why not. Songbird says she’s smart enough to earn points with the warden’s office during the blackout whilst the others keep losing privileges. One of the prisoners sarcastically says that she won’t get to hang out with Songbird and Cage. She says that all they care about is raw power which is why Moonstone gets on the team… again. Karla says to say that to her again in the shower. They start laughing at Troll, who is now licking food off her tray. Titania starts to say something but Songbird tells her to shut up. The women ask Songbird if the cannibal thing is true; that they found her eating a couple of hunters. Before Songbird says anything, Troll puts her tray down, stares at the woman and says “aye.” All the women stare silently back at her in surprise.
In the men’s section of the cafeteria, Ghost, Juggernaut and Crossbones are sat by themselves on a table. One of the other prisoners on the table behind them makes a sarcastic comment about the gods lowering themselves to dine with the rest of them. Crossbones looks over his shoulder and asks who just signed their own death warrant. Before the man can answer, Crossbones says he will just take out the whole table to be sure. The man in question asks if he is going to do it with a plastic spork. Crossbones sneers back at him and says that’s all he’ll need.
One of the guards points a gun at Crossbones and tells him to sit down. One of the other prisoners leans across to the prisoner who made the comment to Crossbones and tells him he killed Captain America. The man, Mason, laughs and says he must have done a suck job because he just saw him on TV. Another prisoner becomes exasperated with him and pleads with him to stop. Mason says that Crossbones can’t do jack or else his little robot thingies will activate. He says that if they touch one of them, then they are off the team and a now slot opens up for someone like him.
Crossbones becomes more irate and tells Mason to keep talking. Cain tells him to ignore him; he only wants what they got. Ghost points out that they are still prisoners. He says the food has saltpeter in it to reduce libido. Cain says it’s not the worse place he’s ever had to deal with. Some of the places he’s stayed in makes solitary look like five stars. He tells Crossbones not to give some punk a chance to take their spot. Most of the time they are up in Thunderbolts tower wearing their own costumes and cracking skulls. He says that running into those cave freaks wasn’t the best time though. Crossbones looks at his corrupted hand and agrees with him.
One of the guards gets a call from Fixer and tells the three men they are needed in the habitat now. Cain taunts the other prisoners by saying it looks like they get to leave the Raft for a while. He tells the rest of them to make some nice license plates whilst they’re gone. Crossbones asks Cain to do him a favor and to keep the guard busy. Cain accidentally drops his food tray on another prisoner, which causes the guard to give him a warning. Hidden behind Cain’s large frame, Crossbones takes his spork and rams it down Mason’s throat. Mason starts to choke and the guards rush around him. Crossbones walks away and tells Ghost he was right about the food.
In the Terrarium, Fixer hurries the Thunderbolts in and reminds them that Man-Thing burned people the last time he got out. As Moonstone closes the door, she admits she never thought that the smell of mold and algae would come to mean freedom. Crossbones is surprised he got a flamethrower and asks if he did all his chores. Juggernaut asks where they are going now and Fixer tells them it’s only to Hell’s Kitchen. Using Man-Thing, they teleport there before Fixer can finish his sentence. They see Luke Cage stood in front of them and Fixer tells him Songbird had to wrap up but she’s flying over now. Juggernaut comments that their missing leader is now hanging out at railway tracks… must be hard times. Luke simply tells them to follow him.
As they walk into a railway tunnel, Moonstone says that she called it. She had heard about Daredevil’s craziness. She asks if they are going into Manhattan and then assumes it must be ninjas. Fixer reminds her they are deadly. Ghost opens up a file on ninja lore and tells the team they are swift, versatile and some have magical abilities. Luke says if it’s true and his source is right, then this pack is already dead. He tells them that somewhere is a black cop, about thirty years old by the name of Darris Kimbro. Ripping off the door to a sewer access tunnel Luke says he wants Darris back. And if the ninjas really do have a whole fortress down there then he wants it leveled.
Luke tells a surprised Fixer that he is mission leader. If the team does anything that he or Songbird don’t want, then it won’t be pretty. Fixer seems shocked and asks if Luke is going with them. Moonstone says they could have provided nose plugs and then says she guesses they will never send them somewhere sunny. Crossbones asks that if the ninjas are dead can they use as much force as they like. Luke confirms they can and says he wants them gone.
The team heads off into the sewers and Man-Thing follows them. Fixer tells Luke that he put this in the mission log as Avengers business. But he guesses that it isn’t. Luke says it isn’t and tells him he has to help the others turn Daredevil around. As Songbird joins them, he tells them both that he knows they can do this.
Inside the sewer, Moonstone jokes that Luke is now using them as his own personal death squad… It’s so different from how Osborn ran things. Crossbones says that he bets when everything hits the fan everything will be pinned on them. Juggernaut doesn’t seem fussed but Ghost says that institutionalized power can only be abused. Crossbones asks what his deal is… he gets that he’s brilliant but nobody’s that paranoid. Ghost replies that what Crossbones calls paranoia he calls heightened awareness. Juggernaut says at the very least he can tell them his real name. Ghost says that his birth branding and federal identification number no longer applies. All the designations try to define who he is but nothing explains that. Only he knows who he truly is.
Fixer and Songbird catch up and he asks Ghost if he has detected anyone down there. He says that his sensors have registered thirty-two life forms ahead. Songbird uses her powers to light up the area and then questions the number Ghost said. He corrects himself and says he now registers thirty-six. They come across a huge swarm of rats in their path.
Fixer finds a junction box and says he can use it to light the way so Songbird doesn’t have to. Juggernaut spots that Man-Thing is now crawling with rats and Crossbones says he could do with some target practice. Ghost says that the life-forms he was referring to weren’t the rats. Just then, two swords are thrust through Man-Thing and the rest of the teams in attacked with shuriken. Fixer lights up the area and the team find themselves surrounded by dozens of ninjas.
The ninjas immediately start fighting and swarming on the Thunderbolts. Crossbones starts firing his guns at them but, when he sees Man-Thing burning them with his touch, he changes tactics. He gets out his flamethrower and starts incinerating them. One of the ninjas commands the rest to group up with him. They starts merging together to form a super strong ninja. Juggernaut goes to attack it but it kicks him in the stomach and knocks him down. Fixer yells for the Thunderbolts to form a row but he is impaled with two swords before he can finish. Songbird rushes towards him but she is overpowered by a group of ninjas. Moonstone stares on and dryly says it looks like they are without their handlers. She tells the remaining Thunderbolts to have some fun.