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Provide a full summary of the comic book.

[Assistant]
Death to the Beyonder!
Moments ago, Galactus escaped the mountainous battle-site and fled to his homeworld, a construct so huge that it fills the sky though it orbits many millions of miles distant. Now, Captain America and his comrades can only watch helplessly as the homeworld of Galactus dissolves into pure, brilliant energy – signaling the beginning of the end of their lives!
Addressing Mister Fantastic, the Thing is trying to get this straight. Since they prevented Galactus from eating this godforsaken mudball they’re standing on… he’s eating his own homeworld?! Reed affirm, adding that, once he’s recharged with energy, he’ll be back to have them for dessert! He advises everyone to cover their eyes and look away, or they’ll be blinded by the light. Big deal, Iron Man scoffs. They’re going to die in seconds anyway! Who wants to see it coming?
High above, the last remains of the enormous world-ship are transformed, swelling the nimbus of raw energy which billows in the void. In the center of the seething energy-cloud, Galactus prepares to drink deep of the awesome power around him. Suddenly, though, the energy is ripped away from him!
Below, the heroes are puzzled and wonder what’s going on. Reed admits he’s not sure. Captain America points at the sky: the energy is moving toward Doombase! Human Torch is certain that this can’t be Doctor Doom’s doing! They left him imprisoned along with the other bad guys! “Who else then, Torch?” Rogue asks him. Cap decides they’ll soon see and dispatches Captain Marvel to go reconnoiter – fast! “On my way to the speed of light, Cap!” Monica replies.
Transforming her body to pure electromagnetic radiation, she knifes toward Doombase. Split seconds later, she is inside the base, spying on Doom, who’s strapped on a device. Monica thinks it’s incredible: somehow Doom escaped the cell they locked him in and constructed that fantastic machine – and it looks like he’s using it to draw all that energy into himself! She’d better get back and tell Captain America and Mister Fantastic – they’ll know what to make of this!
Xavier suddenly speaks into her head and tells her to stand fast. He’s telepathically linking her mind to Reed’s, allowing him to see through her eyes. Reed is best qualified to interpret for them the meaning and significance of what she’s watching.
Just then, Doom rises from his machine. It is finished – the power is his! Terrified, he suddenly wonders what is happening. His least whim alters the world around him! Such is the power coursing within him that stones and steel are wisps of nothing which bend and transform in slavish obedience to his merest stray thought! He must control this… separate the gossamer material world from his all-powerful thoughts… before reality and his imagination become as one, hopelessly intermingled!
“Ah!” he exclaims as he experiences yet another sensation – what now? He quickly realizes his senses have expanded – of course! Omniscience is of necessity a corollary of omnipotence! A side effect! He feels every cell – every atom! Their textures, their quivering movements, their dance of infinity! No physical barrier can restrain his senses! He sees – no, it is far beyond seeing – he encompasses all that exists around him! He possesses more senses than before – an empathy! The villains imprisoned in the dungeons – he knows their every thought, every secret, every smoldering, gnawing desire! How they seethe with hungers and wants! Each of their desires is more tangible to him than mortar and stone! Victor von Doom, to whom the minds and hearts of lesser were ever open books, now plumbs the black depths of men’s souls with a glance! For now, he is aware… aware of all things… including a spy! Uh-oh! Captain Marvel thinks, realizing she’s busted.
At that moment, at the mountain, Professor X reveals that something’s wrong; the mindlink has been cut off! Reed fears that Captain Marvel is in trouble! Cap points them to the X-Men’s ship – quick! When they come close to it, though, they see it has been partially damaged. Hulk argues this thing isn’t flying anywhere. Those boulders must’ve been thrown onto it during the battle with Galactus. Spider-Man reminds them their own ship has been wrecked, too – so what’s “Plan B?” Cap instructs those who can travel fast to go to Doombase and aid Captain Marvel – take any action against Doom they deem necessary! He also puts Thor in command.
Magneto retorts it’s not necessary to divide their forces and urges everyone into the ship. Xavier realizes what Magneto is thinking and asks them to do as Magneto says. After they get inside, Cyclops protests that this thing’s dead – even the lights are out. Every power cell has smashed. No matter, Magneto demurs – he is the power! Levitating his arms in the air, he exercises his electromagnetic powers and renders the ship fully operational. Nightcrawler is impressed: this crate never flew this fast under its own power! Cyclops insists it’s hard to tell.
Cap exclaims it’s amazing – it looks like Magneto managed to live up to his own hype. Magneto gathers that Captain America would have preferred that he fails. Or was that remark, perhaps, intended to be a “well done” for which Magnus should humble thank him?
“At ease, Mister!” Cap rejoins. Magneto insists that allies should be at ease with each other! What troubles Cap? Is it Magneto’s awesome power? Is he jealous? Afraid? Or is it merely because he’s a mutant that Cap is not “at ease?” Cap reminds him that the fact he tried to kill all of them here several times as part of various evil schemes for world conquest is pretty hard to forget entirely! However, Professor Xavier vouched for him, so Cap is allowing him to be with them. He has no qualms about him or the rest of the mutants… the X-Men.
Wolverine rejoins that maybe he ought to! Magneto asks him to stay out of this. Not a chance, Wolverine retorts. What Cap doesn’t understand is that mutants are at war – always have been, always will be. Cap, with his highfaluting ideals, is the champion of the American dream, fighting for liberty and justice… but only for his own kind. For humans… for regular Americans. However, he just stands by while mutants are being persecuted. Has he ever fought for mutants’ rights? Some of the God-fearing Americans he protects hate mutants – and when they come after them, it’s a lot like how the Nazis went after the Jews.
Logan explains how Xavier wants them to hide; try to help humanity; earn acceptance; fit in. Now, though, Xavier has convinced Magneto to lay off; stop taking the expedient route; stop taking using noble ends to justify violent means… and still Cap won’t lay off him! It sort of makes him wonder if Magneto was right. Cap retorts that nothing justifies terrorism or murder. Terrorists, Logan puffs – that’s what the big army calls the little army! Unsheathing his claws, he grunts that he used to have some respect for Cap. Scott and Piotr grab him, fearing he may lunge at Cap.
Meanwhile, in Doombase, Doom discerns with his newly-acquired omniscience that the Beyonder’s portal remains open – the better to view this planet. Clearly he realizes that these are critical moments – just how critical is for Doom to decide! When the Beyonder brought them all here, he told them “slay your enemies, and you desire shall be yours…” Now, Doom has the power to slay every being on this planet with but a wave of his hand! All the ‘heroic’ minions of Captain America are like dust to him! Should he slay them? And then demand some prize from the Beyonder? What would he ask for? What could the Beyonder give him that is not already within his power? Are those dust-mote heroes truly his enemies? Or… is there now but one foe in all existence worthy of him – the Beyonder himself?
Klaw’s detached head, discarded somewhere nearby, sings that the Beyonder is mighty, the Beyonder is tough, beating him will be pretty rough! Doom asks him if he should settle for being second, then. No! he provides the answer himself. He is Doom! As long as he knew there was one greater, he could never rest! Klaw reminds him he doesn’t have a chance; that would discourage some.
Doom admits that the Beyonder is Goliath while he is David. David had a sling and knew a weakness of his foe which he might exploit. Doom knows something of the Beyonder. When the Beyonder first spirited them to this world, Doom attempted to invade his portal and was brutally repelled… but not before his armors’ computers analyzed his energies. A few simple adjustments, based upon that data – and borrowing some technology from the device Galactus meant to use to absorb the energy of this planet – and Doom has his ‘sling’ concealed in the breastplate of his armor! He must get very close to the Beyonder if he intends to use it, however – within an arm’s length. But then, David had to brave the giant’s spears to draw within range! Brimming with energy, he teleports away, bidding Klaw his farewells: he goes to “walk through the valley of the shadow of death…”
At that moment, the heroes blast through the Doombase. With a quick psi-scan, Professor X reveals that Doom is gone; he is no longer in the structure. Cap tells them to quickly check on the other prisoners. Moments later, in the dungeon, several levels below, the Human Torch confirms that every villain is still bottled up… except Doom, of course. However, he doesn’t see Klaw anywhere. Spider-Man realizes he’s right and suggests they better start searching; this is a big fort! Nightcrawler thinks Professor X might be able to trace him telepathically. If that’s possible, they should head back upstairs, Peter suggests.
In the lab, Spider-Woman suddenly runs into a strange form consisting purely of light, and lets out a gasp. Reed asks her what it is. Spider-Woman reveals it’s Captain Marvel – there’s something wrong! Reed quickly realizes that Doom must have forcibly changed Monica to her light form, and frozen her that way! She’s become a living hologram! Klaw’s head, also present in the room, tells him he’s right – no wonder they call him “Mister Fantastic!” Grabbing Klaw’s head, Reed deduces that Doom sliced away most of his body and used it to make the energy-lenses for his power-absorbing device. Klaw joyfully claims it didn’t hurt at all, because he’s made of solid sound! Cap asks him where Doom is; what is he up to?
Just then, a terrible tremor almost topples everyone over. Smirking, Klaw announces that Doom will be right back. He’s using off some gadget in his chestplate to steal all the Beyonder’s power and conquer him! Hearing this, a shocked Cap exclaims that Doom must be insane! Klaw chuckles that maybe that’s why he gets along with him!
At that moment, somewhere past the portal of the Beyonder, Doom is already knee-deep in his fight with the omnipotent being. The Beyonder’s voice, coming from a void, forbids him to advance: Stop! You cannot approach me! Calling him a coward, Doom suggests the Beyonder approaches him, then, on his knees – if he has knees! “Cringe before your master! Grovel before Doom!”
In Doombase, Hulk notes that whatever’s going out there, it’s shaking this place to pieces! And this fort could withstand a direct hit from an H-bomb! Captain America dispatches Spider-Man and Thing to get down to the sick bay and bring She-Hulk up here. He has a feeling they’re going to need every single hand soon, wounded or not!
Reed finds a monitor that’s still working. He soon locates the Beyonder’s portal – definitely the source of the disturbance. Shockwaves emanating from there are causing upheavals in the very fabric of the time-space continuum for a hundred cubic parsecs. Only violent movement of energy on an unimaginably gargantuan scale could cause this. Doom and Beyonder are firing force-bolts at each other, perhaps… Reed wishes this monitor, this equipment, were powerful enough to get inside the portal!
Iron Man wonders if Reed can soup it up, like he did with his own arm. Reed explains there’s no time. No matter, though: it’s still powerful enough to locate Galactus so he can bring him back here and revitalize him! Jim retorts they’ve got enough trouble already! What if he tries to kill them again? Reed agrees he may… but if Doom should give up his attack on Beyonder and turn his attention to them again, the only way they’d stand a chance is with the power of Galactus on their side! Finally locating Galactus, Reed wishes they can now lock a tractor beam on his coordinates.
Meanwhile, Thing and Spider-Man retrieve She-Hulk from the infirmary. Suddenly, a new violent shock shakes Ben off and he drops the senseless She-Hulk from his arms! “Careful, Thing!” Peter bellows at him and grabs Jennifer before she hits the ground. He remarks it’s a good thing he’s fast; the last thing She-Hulk needs is being dropped on her head right now. Ben claims that he knew Spider-Man was going to catch her!
As they return to the upper floor, they find it even more devastated than before. Reed is trapped under an enormous chunk of equipment. Ben tells him to hang on; he’s coming! Lifting it off of him, Ben tells Reed to say something complicated so that Ben knows he’s okay! “Easy, Reed!” Johnny tells him and advises him not to try to move. Reed is struggling to catch his breath. Spider-Man thinks She-Hulk’s still weak, but okay; she’ll be on her feet again after she rests a while more. Seeing Hulk watching the still-functioning monitors, he asks him what’s on TV! “Worldwide destruction, I’m afraid!” Hulk replies, seeing how the entire planet is being torn apart. He fears She-Hulk’s condition, and theirs, too, may soon be academic!
Colossus asks him if he can focus on the village they once occupied. Hulk complies and scenes from the village are broadcast on the monitor. Hulk remarks that it look like they’ve fared no better than the rest of the world. Colossus spots Zsaji, the healer, in one of the images: she’s hurt, carried away by some of her fellow villagers! Colossus wishes he were there to be with her now! But… it is not he she would want! It is the Human Torch she loves! He decides he must tell him. He announces to Johnny he has bad news: Zsaji has been injured! Johnny retorts he has no time for a chippie now: Reed’s hurt! He’ll send her a card later! At the sound of this, the lovelorn Colossus exasperates: “Chippie? Chippie?!”
Before he has time to say more, another shock comes – the worst yet, Cap realizes. He tells everyone to stay alert for falling debris. He instructs Colossus, Iron Man and Thor to stand by to brace walls and shield the more vulnerable!
Shrieking winds protest the agony of this planet, which is battered and distorted by forces beyond comprehension, while the sun it orbits seems on the verge of being blown out like a candle. In the realm of the Beyonder, Doom continues attacking him with his energy bolts. He wonders: is there no end to the Beyonder’s strength? Doom doubles and redoubles his onslaught with each passing second. He must draw nearer, still, and yet, all his power is not enough! His thrust has been blunted… his energy ebbs… his defenses crumble! It is hopeless! He cannot reach the Beyonder, any more than the anvil can rise to strike the hammer! He despairs: a way! There must be a…
Suddenly, a force-bolt coming from the Beyonder tears off Doom’s left leg! The Latverian monarch releases a terrible scream and collapses, amidst a relentless assault of energy blasts that proceed to tear him apart. “Thus falls Doom?” he soliloquizes in agony. “No! No!” he cries. What is pain to one such as him? He will shut it out! Other men fall prey to the very specter of death… When her cold embrace seems imminent, they simply swoon into her arms… But he… he is Doom! “I… I deny you, death! Victor von Doom must not die!” he howls.
Suddenly, a stillness sweeps through the fabric of reality. On the Battleworld, the remains of Doombase shiver and settle. In the lab, Professor X warns everyone to beware: he senses someone or something approaching; something awesome! Spider-Man knows what he means: his spider-sense is going bazonkers! Whoever’s coming is dangerous to beat the band!
A hologram of Doctor Doom materializes before them. Doom greets them and introduces himself… though he clarifies he is far more than the being they once knew! Indeed, he has transcended mortality. And yet, he is their champion, fighting for their sakes! He announces he’s about to crush the Beyonder! The Beyonder, in his cosmic arrogance, abducted them all and brought them here to do battle for his amusement. “Slay your enemies,” he said – but in truth, he is the real enemy! While he can reach them, the universe is not safe from his manipulations. He must be utterly defeated and sealed away beyond the portal forever… or be destroyed! In the name of all who exist in their universe he, Doom, has dared to attack him!
He fibs that the battle has gone well; even now, the Beyonder cringes in terror, marshalling his failing strength against Doom’s final assault. Hence, this lull in the strife, which has allowed Doom to appear to them and offer them the chance to share in his glorious conquest! He invites them to lend him their power and hasten the Beyonder’s certain defeat! Extending his hand to them, he asks them to come! Who will join him against their common foe? They have but to touch his hand! Who shall be first? To him, after their victory, he promises he shall grant power beyond measure – with which to further his noble purposes, of course! He insists they all know he speaks the truth. They feel it, do they not?
“Yes! Yes!” an entranced Magneto exclaims. Time seems to tread water as Magneto suddenly lunges forward. The others stand transfixed. Magneto reaches out to grasp Doom’s spectral hand… but then, he hesitates. His eyes find Xavier’s, and for an endless split-second, Magneto trembles on the brink… Then, abruptly, Hawkeye and Iron Man charge at him and grapple him, while Wasp attacks him with her stings, trying to hold him back. Iron Man assures Hawkeye that Magneto is not going to reach out and touch anybody unless he can find a pay phone!
Doom’s holographic form begins to fade; he cannot maintain it any longer. Magneto is furious with Hawkeye and makes to attack him: how does the human scum dare? Iron Man grabs Magnus from behind and tells him flattery will get him nowhere! No way they’re letting him help Doom! Hawkeye insists he doesn’t buy that bull about Doom fighting for their own sakes. No matter how sincere he says it, he isn’t the type to change his spots – and from the look of it, neither is Magneto! A furious Magneto demands they unhand him and magnetically repels all three Avengers.
Hawkeye aggressively asks the X-Men if they saw their buddy trying to throw in with Doctor Doom – the same Doom who only a few minutes ago aced Captain Marvel! Does this rat have to murder somebody right in front of them, or what? What’s it take to convince them that Magneto is pond slime and they should lock him up? And if they can’t see that… maybe they ought to start wondering about them!
Cap tells him that’s enough. They were all tempted. He suspects that Doom was exerting some sort of mental control, and maybe Magneto got the biggest dose. The way he saw it, Magneto stopped himself before Hawkeye jumped him. That means he did nothing wrong – he’s innocent. As for whatever Magneto might have done in the past, they agreed to set that all aside for the duration when they finally accepted him as an ally. And besides, they’re not sure what’s happening out there. It’s possible they’ll regret not helping Doom!
In the Beyonder’s portal, Doom’s last, desperate ploy has failed… and now, as if on cue, the Beyonder’s onslaught begins again. This time there is no defense: Doom lays still. Long minutes pass, and then, finally, there is silence. Slowly, the victor – the Beyonder – approaches the charred, wretched, lifeless body of Doom. Gathering up the savaged remains, the Beyonder begins to probe, soon focusing upon the apparent center of his foe’s being. Stimulation of certain electro-chemical reactions elicits a parade of images, dancing in the mind’s eye of Doom. The Beyonder pays close heed… and sees unfolded before him the life-journey of this carrion he holds.
The Beyonder sees Doom as he remembers himself from years past, a gypsy youth, handsome and proud… Prominent is the haunting visage of Doom’s mother, the healer, maker of potions – cruelly put to death when Doom was but an infant, slain at the command of a petty official for practicing her arts after failing to cure an ailing horse. He witnesses the young Doom’s finding of his mother’s hidden cache of sorcerous and scientific secrets and the growth of his knowledge of sciences both physical and supranormal. He observes Doom’s discovery that his mother’s spirit form is trapped in an infernal, extra-dimensional netherworld and sees Doom’s tragic attempt to contact her, which leaves his face a scarred ruin.
Finally, the Beyonder beholds what these events have wrought in the dark reaches of the heart and mind of Doom as the images change, revealing the desires which rule him: power! As though usurping control over the destinies of other men would serve as vengeance against the cruelty heaped upon him by fate. Restoration for his mother’s spirit, seized and held by the demonic Mephisto in his fiery dimension, as payment for arcane knowledge granted to her. Restoration of his ravaged face – the undoing of the horror he has kept hidden behind his grim iron mask.
For long moments, the Beyonder reflects upon this thing, desire. He ponders the passion, the bitterness, the hatred with which it seethes… the mystery of it. But there is much else to investigate… and perhaps he can learn more of this emptiness-which-drives by exploring other organs. The bilateral symmetry of his beaten foe, though damaged, is still evident. The Beyonder strips Doom’s body, and leaving one side intact for comparison, begins dissection.
The mask is pulled away, and as the icy vacuum of the Beyonder’s realm washes across half of Doom’s bared face, Doom awakens, feeling half of his body being pulled apart, peeled away in layers. The agony, the nausea and the horror are beyond imagining. Utter death, only split-seconds away, offers an escape, which any other mortal would gratefully accept… but he is Doom! The breastplate hovers nears… and the Beyonder himself is close at hand. Doom’s remaining arm quivers weakly, its battered flesh loathe to respond… but he is Doom! As his vision blurs, and the ebony warmth closes around his consciousness, he fights on, reaching, groping…
Just then, another terrible shock rocks the Battleworld. The biggest yet, the Human Torch confirms: the whole Doombase is coming down! Demolishing some collapsing parts of the complex with his optic blasts, Cyclops tells Nightcrawler to teleport over to the Professor and to help him avoid the debris. Kurt complies. Captain America urges everyone outside! No matter how bad it is there, it’s better than in here! This place is going from shelter to tomb in a hurry! “What about you, Cap?” Reed asks him. Cap tells him to go; he’ll follow in a minute!
Moments later, Cap gets in the dungeon. The villains beg him to get them out of here! Cap insists he’s trying, but the structure’s shifted… the doors are jammed! He promises he’ll find a way and tells them to hang on. Wolverine shows up and asks him if he needs help. Steve tells him to hurry; he’ll cover Logan.
As Wolverine breaks through the cells, Cap admits he’s glad Wolverine’s here. Logan claims he wasn’t going to let these men die in cages, no matter what they did or whose side they were on. Magneto was on his way down here, too. He’s got a thing about folks being trapped and left to die like rats… even humans! However, Logan told him he’d take the detail while Magnus got the other couple bad guys out of the sick bay. He didn’t expect to find Cap here. Cap insists even these villains have rights. After they are all set free, he urges them to move on and get out of here. There’s no guarantee that any of them will survive the next few minutes, but they all stand a better chance outside!
Steve and Logan are the last individuals to evacuate the dungeon. Just in time, Wolverine remarks – that whole section of the fort is collapsing! Cap tells him to keep moving; it’s a long way to open air! As they flee, Wolvie tells him not to take this wrong… but he realizes Cap is a better man than he gave him credit for. Wolverine’s an attacker, while Cap’s a defender… but they’re both soldiers. He’s beginning to think Cap has room in his highfaluting ideals for all people – even if they’re mutants! Cap quips that some of his best friends are people!
Outside the fortress, the other heroes are waiting for them. Seeing them approach, Johnny informs the rest that these two are okay. Yeah, but this planet isn’t, Hulk retorts. It’s just about to shake into space gravel – and then where will they be? Ben supposes they will be part of that great driveway in the sky!
All of sudden, the violent shocks and the shattering stop. It’s all quiet again. “What gives?!” Spider-Man wonders. Hawkeye points at the sky and urges them to look up there. Rogue exclaims it’s a light! What is it? It’s coming closer! Seeing the light descending toward them, Cap instructs them to be ready for anything! Hawkeye thinks Cap is something else; doesn’t his jaw ever go slack? Isn’t he ever just too flabbergasted to shout orders? Steve shushes him and tells them to stand ready; the light is almost on top of them! Something is forming inside of it!
Doctor Doom emerges from the light – only now he is of monumental, massive proportions, larger in size than even Galactus! Doom announces that the Beyonder is dead! Now, the supreme being in the universe, is Doom! “My gosh, Cap! Now what?” Spider-Man gasps. As everyone gathers around Cap in shock, Steve realizes this is going to be the fight of their lives. On his command, they are to attack – and not to stop… not let up… no matter what! They must find a way… they will find a way to win! He is about to give the signal for attacking…
“Hold! Stay your hand, Captain America!” Doom suddenly cuts him short. He explains that absorbing the Beyonder’s energies caused his form to swell to enormous proportions – but he is what he wishes to be now! He returns to human proportions so that they more easily speak face to face. Taking his iron mask off, he announces they are to know these things: the Beyonder no longer exists… and Doom himself has been reborn! Thus, have two evils come to an end! There is no enemy left to fight: the war is over!


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

[Assistant]
“…And Dust to Dust!”
Everyone watches in shock, as Doctor Doom removes his mask and reveals his face, that of a young, unscarred man. Doom haughtily proclaims that the Beyonder is dead… and the power which was once the Beyonder’s is now Doom’s. He, Victor Von Doom, is the mightiest being in this… or any universe! He could destroy them all with but a thought… and he supposes this is what they expect!
At first, the heroes are unsure how to respond. Wolverine angrily asks what’s he waiting for? Nightcrawler warns Logan not to goad Doom; something tells him Doom can do what he says. Storm suggests they strike then, before Doom has a chance! Mister Fantastic pleads them to hear Doom out. Captain America commands everyone to stand ready and not do anything till he gives the order. Spider-Man confirms that his spider-sense would be tingling if Doomsie meant to kill them. Professor X concurs that Doom means them no harm. Though the sheer energy of Doom’s mental processes blocks Xavier’s telepathic probings, he senses no aura of malice about him. Thor urges Doom to speak and assures him they fear him not! Doom suggests they listen well then. He shall speak to them but once, for greater things beckon him.
Watching from a close distance, the villains are at loss. Wrecker asks his peers what they make of all this: Doom talking really friendly to Captain America and his pals. What happened to Doom? Why is he glowing like that? “Who knows?” Doctor Octopus exclaims and reminds them that Doom’s tricks are many. “Yeah… like selling out!” the Absorbing Man quips. Octopus bursts out: they have always been disposable… pawns to be exploited and sacrificed as expediency demands! He’d like to tear Doom limb from limb! The Enchantress smirks that he won’t. Doom is too much for Octopus… even without the aid of his new friends. Octopus is a practical mortal worm. “And I?” she exclaims. She admits she admires treachery. She is merely amused… for the nonce.
Thunderball suggests they bush Doom’s skull in. “Us and what army?” Bulldozer retorts. He is tired of getting his butt kicked! Wrecker thinks that Captain America and his jerk-squad went and forgot that they let them out of the slammer when they thought the building was going to collapse. He suggests they scram while they have the chance. Confused, the Lizard keeps searching around for Klaw. He wonders where he is; Klaw would know what to do! Klaw is very wise! Klaw is Lizard’s friend!
The Absorbing Man admits he’s always game for a fight. He asks Titania if she wants to nail Spider-Man for punching out her lamps before. A worn out Titania replies negatively. The Absorbing Man teases her: will she let one little thrashing get her down? He reminds her she’s Titania… strongest broad on whatever this planet is! Embarrassed, Titania wishes she had his absorbing powers. Nothing can hurt him…
Watching Doom’s interaction with the heroes, Volcana doesn’t know what to believe. Doom is the one who made her into Volcana, which is wonderful… but he does seem to be double-crossing them! Molecule Man admits he had such faith in Doom. He believed in him! He’s furious! Volcana tries to appease him: his analyst said it wasn’t good to get overwrought! Owen doesn’t care what she said. He’s going to kill that lying, two-faced, rotten fink! Blazing with the power he’s about to unleash, he challenged Doom to hear him and announces that he’s going to kill him! A frightened Volcana tries to stop him.
Undeterred, Owen asserts that Doom’s new friends are not going to save him and makes a demonstration of his powers: he upends the crust of the planet, peeling it away like the skin of an orange, flinging the heroes away. Rushing over to Doom on a floating cluster of rock, he loftily observes that, now he’s tossed the heroes out of the way, along with several billion tons of this planet’s crust, it’s just him and Doom; he promises to obliterate the Latverian! Flaunting his energy on Doom, he realizes Doom doesn’t think he will… that the Molecule Man is a wimp or something! Owen admits that maybe he is… but now Doom has made him angry… angry enough for Owen to destroy him. And he has the power to do it. Doom knows it. The Molecule Man controls all molecules – except living ones, of course – but still, he’s so powerful…
Doom concurs that indeed he is – more than he realizes. He decides to show him. He tells him to behold the foundations of eternity – the intertwining of energies which is the basis of all that is. Molecule Man is startled to see vast patterns of energy all around them. Doom informs him that all things now are known unto him… and the secrets of the universe have been laid bare to him. He gives Owen this as a gift: this insight into the intricate simplicity of existence! Inside Owen is great power. He should know that, of all the great and mighty in the universe, he is the mightiest… save for Doom. Grabbing his face, he reminds him that every molecule, every iota of matter in the cosmos answers to his whim. And all the forces that govern substance bend to his will… for matter and energy are one the same! The only limits on Owen’s power are those which he has imposed upon himself, subconsciously because of self-doubt… self-hate… fear! Inundating him with energy, Doom urges him to open his mind to the majesty of his own power, accept his destiny and fear no more!
Kneeling on the ground, Molecule Man mumbles that he can control organic molecules… he can do… anything! The rest of the villains catch up with him. Octopus asks him what happened. An ecstatic Owen mutters that Doom helped him with a mental block he had and then left. He just soared away into the sky. But it’s okay: the can get along without Doctor Doom leading them anymore. He confidently announces that he will take care of them! “You?!!” Octopus asks in disbelief. Creel reminds him what Owen did. Does Octopus really want to cross him?
Octopus relents and accepts that Molecule Man is in charge. He asks him what they do now. Owen admits there’s so much to think about. He’s not sure… except that they’ll need food and shelter. After they take care of that, they can plan what to do next. Volcana suggests they could go to her place. Owen accepts. Second later, they all depart aboard a makeshift aircraft that Molecule Man generates. Volcana is amazed by what he can do. Owen tells her it’s nothing. She should wait until she sees some of the things he’s going to do now that he’s not afraid anymore. At last, he’s accepting his destiny!
Meanwhile, on the fringes of space, Captain America’s band regroups after Molecule Man repelled them. Reed uses his extremely pliable body to carry all the non-flying heroes, being in turn carried by Iron Man. The latter remarks that when the Molecule Man wants to be rid of you, he lets you know! Reed warns him to get them down into denser air quickly, before they suffocate up here!
Later, at the battered ruins of the fortress named Doombase, the heroes confer. Xavier announces he can’t tell where Doom went. He tried searching psionically for him, but he hasn’t found a trace. Cap thanks him anyway. He asks Reed what this all means. Reed admits that without more data… “Some big genius you are!” Hulk quips. Wasp is appalled by Hulk’s manners: he’s getting nastier and nastier lately.
Cap decides to go over what they know. They were brought here by a being of unimaginable power… enough to simply wipe away an entire galaxy. He issues a challenge (“I am from Beyond! Slay your enemies and all you desire shall be yours! Nothing you dream of is impossible for me to accomplish!). That was all Doom and his ilk had to hear. They attacked the heroes… and the heroes fought back. Reed picks up on the narration: But Doom’s ambitions were even greater than they realized. He contrived an elaborate plan to attack the Beyonder himself. And apparently, he won. Somehow, he killed the Beyonder and usurped his power!
Thor agrees that Doom is nigh omnipotent. Janet finds that scary. It gives her the chills. Xavier tells her it’s small comfort, but at least Doom is all they have to worry about. He senses that Molecule Man and the other super-criminals have apparently fled to some distant part of the planet. Smashing a wall, Hulk is angry to hear there is no sign of Doom or his ex-lackeys… he wants to have somebody to smash! Cap tells him to be careful: this place isn’t too sturdy anymore!
Hundreds of miles distant on this patchwork planet, constructed by the Beyonder from bits and pieces of thousands of other worlds, lies a six-square-mile chunk ripped from the planet Earth: a suburb of Denver, Colorado, complete with its terrified populace. The villains have now gathered in the modest apartment of Marsha Rosenberg, aka Volcana. Volcana wishes she could offer them all sandwiches, but there’s no electricity and everything’s spoiled… no water either! Molecule Man promises he’ll fix that later. He now asks them to discuss their options.
The Absorbing Man doesn’t know what’s going on with Doom, the Beyonder or his stupid contest, but he doesn’t give a hoot anymore. He and Titania, all they want to do is go home! Volcana thinks that’s the way everybody feels. But how could they get home? They must be a long way from Colorado! Owen announces that if they want to go home, go home they shall. Creel asks how. “You’ll see…” Owen replies.
An instant later, the hapless people on the Denver suburb burst into panic, seeing something closing off the sky! The ground is shaking, too! They all begin to wonder what’s happening – what now? And just then, the entire suburb, encased in a dome, is detached from the rest of the planet and begins floating upwards.
At Doombase, the heroes feel the rumbling caused by the departure of the suburb and gather in the monitor room. Reed announces that the suburb of Denver the Beyonder brought here is leaving. He suspects this is the work of Molecule Man. Spider-Woman is shocked and incredulous: does he mean it’s just floating off into space?! She has friends there – good friends! What will they do? Reed admits there’s nothing they can do. Except sleep, Cap adds. They might as well just sack out and try to figure this all out in the morning.
Hours later, in his shadowed chamber, Colossus remembers Captain America’s words. “Sleep” he said. He could not have issued an order more difficult for Piotr to obey! He is so weary… but the ache in his heart… and the gnawing emptiness in his soul, they drive away sleep. He can do nothing but think thoughts of her… of his Zsaji. He realizes these are a love-smitten schoolboy’s thoughts. But that is how he feels… yet… it is far deeper than that. His love for her is everything. The only thing. Yet to her, he’s just another soldier in this cursed war. He cannot bear it… not a second longer! Minutes later, he quietly departs from the cavernous hangars on a tiny sky-sled. He thanks the stars that the controls of this machine are not too difficult. I am coming my love! he thinks in rapture.
As Piotr soars across the starless sky, he does not notice a small flickering point of radiance streaking down from the heavens toward Doombase. Silently, the strange light enters the complex, approaches the slumbering Hulk and occupies his body. Hulk automatically rises.
Moments later, in a nearby corridor, a sleepless Spider-Woman sees a big shadow approaching and asks who’s there. She is relieved when she sees Doctor Banner… or does he prefer being called “Hulk?” She deduces he couldn’t sleep either. She was thinking about all those poor people out there on that chunk of Denver…
Suddenly, she realizes that Hulk is not responsive – he keeps on walking forward, paying no attention to her. She realizes something’s wrong here: is he sleepwalking? She tells him to wake up, but quickly understands he’s really out of it. He isn’t likely to hurt himself, but what if he steps on somebody?! She’d better restrain him… and then get help! Her eyes narrow as she concentrates. Strands of sheer psionic force radiate around her and she weaves.
Seconds later, Hulk is still lumbering along, oblivious to Spider-Woman’s web waiting for him a few steps forward. Finally, the entranced Hulk is ensnared in her web and begins fighting to free himself. Spider-Woman notices how strong he is: for someone who’s asleep, he’s a regular Sherman tank! She pushes on and tries to hold him on her psionic web. No good, however, as Hulk keeps redoubling the pressure and finally set himself free. Grabbing Hulk’s shoulders, she again urges him to wake up. Hulk responds by slamming her head on the wall. The radiance escapes Hulk and charges the unconscious Spider-Woman. As he slumps to the floor, once again lost in peaceful slumber, Spider-Woman rises, though unconscious, and continues down the corridor animated by a will not her own…
Moments later, she silently stalks across what was once the laboratory of Doctor Doom. She passes below the glimmering remains of Captain Marvel, who was caught spying on Doom and was frozen by him in her light-form, trapped as a living hologram. Closer and closer, she creeps toward her goal – the disembodied head of Klaw. She slips past the machine, built from Klaw’s dissected body, which abetted Doom’s rise to power on a cosmic scale. Composed of solidified sound energy, Klaw is un-discomfited by decapitation and dozes peacefully. Even nearer, she creeps… but suddenly, she is bathed in a blinding light, much to her terror!
Hearing Spider-Woman’s shriek, Captain America rises from his bed and quickly gets dressed. Seconds later, they all gather in Doom’s lab. A confused Spider-Woman mumbles that she just woke up here… just in time to see Doom! She claims he came for Klaw. She saw him reassemble Klaw and take him away. He restored Captain Marvel, too… like an afterthought. She admits she feels weird... like a buzzing in her head that won’t quit… just sort of in the background. Hulk speculates that maybe she was sleepwalking, like he did: he woke up in the hall! “Maybe…” Spider-Woman replies. Reed asks her if Doom said anything. “No,” she replies… but he left that, she tells them and points at the monitor.
“YOU ARE SUMMONED TO THE TOWER OF DOOM AT DUSK TOMORROW” reads the message left by Doom on the monitor. “Talk about an engraved invitation…!” Spider-Woman remarks. Reed wonders about this tower; what is Doom talking about? “Offhand, I’d say… must be that!” the Thing points them outside the fortress, towards an insanely high behemoth of a citadel looming in the horizon. They realize in shock that this thing must be two hundred miles high – and Doom must have built it from nothing, almost in no time!
At that moment, deep inside the tower, a glowing Doom asks the reassembled Klaw if he likes his temporary quarters. This is his throne room – actually, its only purpose is to impress his “guests” tomorrow. “Nice!” Klaw remarks. He gathers that Doom’s plans worked out. Doom admits that once he would have proudly said “of course”. But now he is not as once he was. “I suppose you’re a lot like me then!” Klaw remarks. Surprised, Doom asks him how so. “I told you once!” Klaw reminds him. “I am my wildest dream!” Doom confesses he shall miss dreaming.
Seeing him going to bed, Klaw asks him if he’s tired. Does a god get tired? Will Doom sleep now? Doom claims he does not need sleep anymore… nor does he dare to sleep. He just wants to rest for a moment. He wants to draw in this power, contain it, shut it off and rest. As Doom spreads on the bed, Klaw notices he’s stopped glowing. Doom orders him to stand watch; Doom must not sleep.
Meanwhile, at the rustic, alien village that was once the heroes’ base, in her hut, the healer-woman known as Zsaji stirs, as a knocking disturbs her slumber. A massive silhouette fills her doorway, then strides purposefully toward her: it’s Colossus. He brings her flowers. He is sorry to awaken her… but he does not know what tomorrow might bring – perhaps his death! He could not face without trying to let her know how much she cares for her! It may be the only thing that truly matters. It is easier for him to believe that all this has happened just so that they might meet and love one another – than to believe that he was meant to find her only to lose her! He tells her he loves her. Zsaji cannot understand the words. Nonetheless, the essence is clear. She smiles… as though seeing him for the first time.
Eighteen hours later, at Doombase, Nighcrawler teleports by Wolverine’s side and asks him if he has seen Colossus. It’s almost time to leave. Everyone is gathering in the big hangar. Wolverine informs him that Peter’s not here… but he knows where he went. “You mean… to her?” Kurt snaps. He wonders in indignation how Piotr can be so faithless to poor Katya. Logan admits he can understand a man following his heart – going with what feels right. There’s no honor lost in that… but can’t Colossus see that this obsession of his is just a side-effect of the girl’s healing power? Nightcrawler asks him if he’s sure. Logan is affirmative. And this isn’t the girl next door, either, he adds. Different world… different culture… who knows what love means to her? Probably not the same as Peter. It looks to him like it’s a standard part of her patient-care!
Soon, they all gather in the big hangar. Kurt reluctantly announces to Professor X that Colossus is… Xavier cuts him off: he knows. Nearby, Thor tells Rogue that last night the darkness was thick with visions of death and despair. It bodes not well. Rogue wonders if this means he had bad dreams; she did, too. Spider-Man adds he had some white-knucklers himself. A coincidence, he hopes! Cap tells them to move on.
Shortly, the heroes land outside Doom’s tower. Klaw welcomes them at the entrance. He tells them he will show them to the room where waits Doom! Soon, they enter the throne room where Doom greets them. He asks if anyone here doubts that he wields the power of the Beyonder. Cap replies they believe him but… so what? Nothing changes as far as he’s concerned.
Much has changed, Doom corrects him. For, when he usurped the Beyonder’s powers, slaying him, in a way Doom died as well! Now, he is all-powerful. He has nothing to prove to lesser creatures. None is his equal. He is complete… serene in his omnipotence. The dark, seething desires which once drove and shaped him are no more. Nothing in this universe – nothing of which they can conceive, no matter how cosmic in scale – could possibly merit his attention. For as eternity is to them… he is to eternity. He has transcended all concerns of this plane of existence… … and yet, he has unfinished business, he admits – loose ends left over from his mortal life. He cannot undo all of the evil works of his life without unraveling a great deal of the fabric of reality, causing enormous upheavals in the time/space continuum. He can, though, easily set right some of the crimes of these few days past.
First, he decides to restore one he has disintegrated. Before them, atom by atom he reconstructs Kang! The resurrected Kang is startled and wonders where he is. With but a zap, Doom immediately returns Kang whence he came… to his home. Cap is amazed: Kang was dead. How…? Doom points out that he was “dead” as Captain America comprehends death. But there is more to life and death than Cap’s philosophy! Doom also informs them that Galactus, whom he left drifting helplessly in space, has been found and aided by his herald, the female called Nova. This leaves only the heroes then! He wishes to grant them a boon, as a gesture to atone for the suffering they have endured at his hands. He asks them to state their desire – anything – and it shall be theirs.
The heroes hurriedly throw a private conference. Wasp thinks he’s serious. Spider-Man suggests they ask him to get them home. Reed insists that’s not necessary; Reed himself can get them home. Kurt suggests that maybe Doom can find Lockheed, Kitty’s pet dragon, for them. They haven’t seen him since the day they arrived here. It’s bad enough that Kitty is losing Colossus over this. She shouldn’t have to lose her dragon, too! Amidst the conversation, Cap wonders what’s wrong with Spider-Woman. He wonders why she’s staring so intently at Klaw.
Dismissing the thought from his mind, he announces to Doom they want nothing from him, but they thank him, anyway. Doom informs them that their dealings are ended forever then. He orders them to leave now as they entered. Soon, he shall ascend to higher planes. Until then, he stresses that he will not suffer any disturbance. He tells them to go and not seek to enter his presence again, for he shall destroy any who dare. “We read you!” Steve assures him.
Moments later, outside the tower, Cap is counting heads. He finds out that Spider-Woman is missing. Reed confirms that. Xavier exclaims that Doom’s very aura negates his telepathic powers. He can’t probe inside his tower – but he can assure them that Spider-Woman is not outside. “Blast it!” Cap snaps. He thought he noticed her behaving oddly. He should have kept an eye on her as they were leaving. But why should she remain? What is she trying to prove? Charles doesn’t know. What he knows is that she’s risking death… she may already be dead. Maybe not yet, Cap rejoins. He decides to go back in after her. The others try to dissuade him: Doom will kill him! Steve insists that, as long as there’s a chance she’s still alive, he’s got to go. Reed suggests the others go, too. Cap rejects his proposal. He tells them to leave if he’s not back in fifteen minutes. No one else goes in – that’s an order!
Moments later, Cap moves cautiously inside the vast tower. He has not met any apparent defenses or alarms so far. But if he knows Doom, every crevice in every wall is dangerous. Moving further inside, he still meets no defenses. He suddenly hears Klaw singing the Home to the Range from a nearby room. He remembers that Spider-Woman was staring at Klaw and rushes into the room.
Cap is surprised to find Doom relaxing on a sofa, reading a paper and sipping wine, while Klaw keeps him company with his song. All over the room there are portraits of a hooded woman. Surprised and vexed, Doom asks him what it is he wants. Cap nervously explains that Spider-Woman appears to be missing. He thinks she’s still in here somewhere – maybe she got lost. He came back to look for her. Putting his armor on, Doom orders Klaw to find her.
Cap admits this wasn’t something he was expecting from someone who has transcended humanity. He keeps expecting someone to say “pay no attention to the man behind the curtain.” He deduces that the woman in the portraits is Doom’s mother. Doom congratulates him on being very perceptive…
Meanwhile, Klaw is frantically searching for Spider-Woman in the corridors of the tower. He calls after her, wondering where she could be. Suddenly, he is caught on her psionic web. Spider-Woman jumps on him and grabs him. The light passes from her to him. Spider-Woman slumps to the floor, lost in peaceful slumber, while Klaw returns whence he came, animated by a will not his own. However, with each step he takes, the alien force guiding Klaw retreats into his subconscious, surrendering control back into Klaw… until he’s merely a slight buzzing lurking in back of his mind.
In the leisure room, Cap has just been informed how Doom’s mother’s spirit essence is held captive by the demon Mephisto – and Doom intends to liberate her spirit… Is that little enough to ask? Doom wonders. Little enough self-solicitude? To free his mother’s soul from endless torments at the hands of an extradimensional demon! After that, it is as he said: no affairs of men – or demons – could possibly gain his notice. Conquest… dominion… these are things which no longer hold meaning for him. Ruling this entire universe would bring him as much satisfaction, perhaps, as ruling a water droplet full of amoeba would to Cap!
Steve admits that Doom looks pretty human to him. Doom insists that it is for their protection that he keeps the power contained – completely bottled up inside him – lest an inadvertent flicker of his finger should destroy a solar system, or wipe out an intergalactic civilization! While he lingers on this plane, he’s like a giant on a world of ants. Every slight movement he makes can seal the destinies of millions. He insists he does not wish to destroy anyone!
Cap announces he’d better find Spider-Woman, then, and leave. Klaw rushes in and informs him that Spider-Woman’s in the hall. After Cap leaves, he wonders what’s going on. “The inevitable, I fear!” Doom replies in contemplation.
Moments later, Cap escorts Spider-Woman outside. Spider-Woman apologizes. She doesn’t remember anything! She can’t imagine how she managed to fall asleep in there. Maybe she needed a nap! At least, now her head isn’t buzzing like it had been since last night. Seeing them, a relieved Wasp exclaims they’re okay. Professor X, though, senses there is much troubling Captain America. He suspects he brings bad news. Quickly, the heroes take off with their ship. Cap asks Xavier to summon Colossus. They have to make a decision which affects all of them… and perhaps the entire universe. Every one of them must be present.
In a glen near Zsaji’s village, Zsaji and Colossus lay kissing under a tree. Suddenly, Xavier telepathically alerts Colossus. Piotr angrily tells him to go away but Xavier insists it’s a red code command. He must return to Doombase immediately! Saddened to part from Zsaji, Colossus tells her he must leave – but he promises to return. He loves her more than anything. Soon, he’ll be with her again, and then, he swears, he’ll never leave her again!
Later, in a council chamber at Doombase, Cap briefs his allies on Doom’s plans. Wasp is at loss: what’s wrong with Doom wanting to rescue his mother’s spirit? Maybe nothing, Cap agrees. Under other circumstances, he might even volunteer to help him. It seems like a very humane… and human thing to do. That’s what worries him. Doom claims he’s transcended all human desire. What if he hasn’t? They’ve seen the power of the Beyonder – Doom’s power – in action before. It is such power that even now, nothing in the universe can take place without his consent. That kind of authority rightfully belongs to no man! No matter how enlightened or benevolent he’s become, freedom to do what Doom allows is not freedom. He reminds them that the first thing Doom did with his newfound power…
… was repair the scars on his face, Reed finishes his sentence. He sees Steve’s point. Cap admits he’s not certain he’s right. Perhaps they should accept Doom at his word… not borrow trouble… go on their way and count their blessings. Reed argues they’ve got to stop him now, before it’s too late… get him to give up his powers… “Power, schmower! We’ll just knock him down ten pegs or so…” Human Torch interjects. Ben remarks that what Reed says goes for all of the FF’ers.
Wasp thinks Cap’s right. She can’t believe Doom would give up lording it over people… or blue cheese dip! Not for long! They’ve got to make a stand before he takes this self-appointed deity stuff too far! Thor, She-Hulk and Captain Marvel agree. Hawkeye tells them he’s in… but could somebody please help him make some arrows first? Iron Man tells Reed to show him the heads and he’ll crack them! Feeling honored to be given a vote, Spider-Woman agrees with the others. Spider-Man is also in: who wants to argue with all these heavy-hitters? “Who would know better than the Hulk the danger of too much power? I say fight!” Hulk remarks.
Xavier admits that perhaps he knows better than them the temptation of insidious power… power which can be used for subtle manipulation. He believes they should fight! Cyclops thinks that Professor X speaks for all of them X-Men. Storm interjects and reveals she speaks for herself… but she believes their only choice is to resist Doom now. Wolverine, Nightcrawler and Rogue agree with her. Magneto also agrees: Doom cannot be trusted with such power.
Cap notices that Colossus hasn’t spoken yet – and he’s the last. Piotr admits he doesn’t know. What has Doom done to them? Nothing! He may never harm them! He seems to be an entirely different being than he was before. If they strike him unprovoked, are they not the criminals? Steve admits he may be right. He’s not dead certain about any of this. That’s why it must be a unanimous vote… or they do nothing. Piotr shouldn’t think he must agree. The choice is his. He should keep in mind that if they do decide to confront Doom, it’s possible that they might be annihilated on the spot by a bolt from the blue!
Colossus explains in stammering words that it’s just he finally has found true happiness – the one woman in all the universe he loves. The thought that it might end – that he might be killed now – that they could ruin it all unnecessarily… He wonders if he’s being selfish. Cap thinks only Colossus himself knows that. Tears gushing from his eyes, Piotr asks Zsaji to forgive him. He gives his vote: he says yes! They fight!
And just then, a bolt from the blue destroys everything and everyone in the room.


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

[Assistant]
“… Nothing to Fear…”
Twenty-one lie dead among the ruins – twenty-one heroes blown to pieces by a bolt from the blue. Captain America, Thor, Wasp, Captain Marvel, Hawkeye, Iron Man, Professor Charles Xavier, Nightcrawler, Colossus, Cyclops, Storm, Wolverine, Rogue, Magneto, Mister Fantastic, Thing, Human Torch, Hulk, Spider-Man and Spider-Woman… all are but carrion now. Blood oozing from the mangled remains of their flesh sizzles across the smoldering debris of their once-mighty fortress.
From a distant peak, denizens of the alien village, which once served as refuge to the heroes, witness the smoke spreading across the sky. Zsaji, the healer, who so often in recent days mended the heroes’ wounds and eased their pain, remembers the gentle caress of Colossus, who loved her so. She wonders if he is beyond her power now – dead and gone forever. She fears the worst.
Hundreds of miles away, in the fastness of a tower which probes the very fringes of space dwells the author of the carnage: Doctor Doom. Klaw asks him if it’s over: are they dead? Doom confirms they’re dead. And now? Klaw asks him. Now, Doom informs him, once again he shall draw the power in… contain in… seal it up safely within the depths of his being. “God’s might in a can! Thus, Doom is just another man!” Klaw remarks. “But why?” he asks him. Doom explains that, lest in a casual moment, a casual flick of his little finger might blacken a star system, or wipe out an intergalactic civilization. Lest, like Vishnu, “I am become death, the destroyer of worlds.” He points out that the universe is too fragile. Klaw pities him: poor Doom! Such power, such weight upon his shoulders!
As Doom rests in a sofa, Klaw repeats that Doom’s power is bottled up. Now all the people on all the worlds can breathe easy and relax… and so can Doom. “Yes… now that my enemies are dead…” Doom remarks. Klaw asks him if he’s sure they’re dead. That’s what he said, but… Doom angrily demurs that of course they’re dead! They must be dead!
Meanwhile, several million miles away, a six-square-mile chunk of Earth hurtles through space. About a week ago, this suburb of Denver, Colorado was stolen from the Earth and transported trillions of miles to become part of the patchwork planet below, assembled by the Beyonder as a Battleworld. But, hours ago, it was ripped from the planet by the awesome power of Molecule Man who means to take it home.
In the modest apartment of Volcana, where various super-criminals reside, the Enchantress, supreme sorceress of Asgard, locks herself in the bathroom. Filling the tub with water, she remarks that it’s so convenient that the Molecule Man made this mortal contrivance work again. She then summons an elemental. The elemental – a vaguely feminine form – arises from the water.
The Enchantress requires information to plan her next move. First, she asks the elemental to tell her what she knows of the Beyonder. The water elemental finds it a tough question. If she answers, will the Enchantress grant her the power to walk through fields of flowers as mortals do? The Enchantress warns her to answer or she will freeze her solid! The elemental complies and begins giving her answer.
She explains she was gossiping with some otherworld spirit-essences a little – some of them know just about everything – and this is what she heard: In his realm, the Beyonder was everything and everything was him… and he was content. But, by chance, an event in their own universe opened a pinhole into the Beyonder’s beyond-realm… and through the pinhole he glimpsed the Earth. For the first time in his existence, the Beyonder became curious. So, he began to observe. For years, he watched the Earth. One thing confounded him above all else: this incompleteness beings of our universe seem to have… this thing called “desire!”
So, the Beyonder set about to study it. He sought subjects. His eye, naturally, was caught by beings of great power, presence… and palpable desire. Like the mighty Enchantress! So he reached right into the very golden realm of the gods and snatched the Enchantress right in the middle of an evil scheme to conquer Asgard and seduce noble Thor! The Enchantress warns her to tell her more of what she does not know… or she will suffer a rather… arid fate.
The water elemental goes on to explain that the Beyonder chose only a handful of beings from among hundreds he’d observed… like candles from a tray. Some he simply seized… some he simply opened the door for… and they came of their own free will. Those ones really puzzled him: can you imagine a total outsider trying to make sense of the way superheroes behave? Once he had his subjects, he sorted them according to the nature of their desires. That’s why Magneto ended up with Captain America’s group. Magneto’s desires seemed like theirs and unlike the personal desires of the others… of people like the Enchantress.
So, anyway, the Beyonder began his experiment by issuing his challenge. Sure enough, war broke out. But while everyone else was fighting on the planet below, Doctor Doom managed to get into the Beyonder’s realm, where he attacked the Beyonder himself. And Doom won, the Enchantress correctly surmises. The elemental confirms that he did… and stole the Beyonder’s power. Not long after that, the Molecule Man decided to rip this chunk up and fly it and everybody on it back to Earth. And here they are: the end! She politely asks the Enchantress if she can go down the drain now.
The sorceress points out that the elemental has rapport with every puddle, basin of water, every cloud… She asks her to tell her what transpires back upon Battleworld now. The elemental wonders if she’s flipped; she can’t do that! “Why, you brush little strumpet…!” the Enchantress hisses and grabs the elemental by its equivalent of hair. The elemental begs for mercy; she just doesn’t have the power to reach that far! “Oh, I’ll give you power, impudent one!” the Enchantress grunts and shoves the elemental inside the tub.
The water in the tub begins to churn and boil, and in the seething liquid, images take shape. The eyes of the Enchantress widen as events of the recent past are revealed. She witnesses the cataclysmic destruction of the heroes – even noble Thor, prince of the gods in her homeland, Asgard. Relaxing in his sanctum even now, she sees the nigh-omnipotent Doom, who so effortlessly caused that sudden slaughter. And she coaxes forth an image which shows his next goal: invading the realm of the dread demon Mephisto to free his mother’s captive spirit. A shudder rolls down her spine.
Suddenly, someone knocks on the door. The Absorbing Man asks her if she fell in! He angrily reminds her that some of them are not immortal! The Enchantress tells him to have patience; a few moments more! Pulling the elemental out of the tub, she asks her one last question: is the Beyonder dead? The elemental replies he isn’t. He is close to Doom, but too weak to act. He is hiding where Doom would never suspect, awaiting an opportunity… a moment of vulnerability.
Seconds later, the Enchantress exits the bathroom. “It’s about time!” the Absorbing Man grumps. He contemplates that he heard her talking to somebody in there… and she looks different than usual… scared maybe. He wonders what of. Women…!
At that moment, in the living room, the Lizard flips out. He wants out of this humans’ nest; he must be in swamp! He hates humans! Bulldozer suggests they kill this overgrown salamander! Volcana uses her fire blasts to prevent them from coming close to the Lizard and tells them to leave him alone. She warns the Wrecking Crew members to watch it. The Lizard doesn’t mean any harm… he’s just confused. Gently caressing the Lizard’s head, she realizes that nobody understands him. He tells him not to worry, they’ll be home soon.
Such idiocy, Doctor Octopus snarls. Don’t they realize the odds against their ever reaching Earth? An ant dropped in the middle of Sahara would get a better chance of getting to Hawaii! If, by some miracle, they’re headed in the right direction, it’d take them a billion lifetimes to make the trip from here! Volcana insists that Owie will get them home! Why can’t Octopus just have faith? “Faith?! In that… that little…” an exasperated Octopus snaps and crashes his tentacles through the outer walls of the apartment.
Molecule Man suddenly shows up and asks what the problem is. Octavio is surprised to see him. Volcana asks Owen where he’s been. Out practicing matter-energy conversion, Owen explains. It’s like Doom said… he can do anything. He asks Octopus if he’s upset about something. Octavius confirms he’s upset. He’d rather take his chance on Battleworld than die of old age on this rock while wandering blindly, endlessly through space! Doesn’t the Molecule Man understand? Even travelling near lightspeed, it’d take them billions of years to reach Earth. They’ve only gone a few million miles so far… they’re not even out of sight of Battleworld.
True, Owen admits, but he really can take them home. Doom thinks it’s impossible – and he believes the Molecule Man knows it. Molecule Man promises he’ll show him, if Octopus gives him a chance. “Show me what?” Octopus demands to know. “You’ll see!” Owen insists. “I’d better see…” Octopus grunts. Owen promises he will.
Amidst the commotion, Volcana hears a voice in her head that summons her… she cannot resist… the Lizard is the only one to notice her departure. Moments later, in a glen nearby, Volcana is surprised to find herself in that location. The Enchantress explains that she summoned her. The time has come to repay the debt Volcana owes her. She reminds her of their bargain. Volcana asked to be transported to her lover’s side, and she offered the Enchantress anything in return. Now it is the Enchantress who has need, for she has learned that the fates of all beings – gods, men and demons alike – are imperiled at this moment. She must return to Asgard immediately to warn her people. However, the distance is too great. She needs more power to teleport so far. Draining Volcana’s life-force shall afford her that power – killing, of course, Volcana! Volcana screams as the sorceress begins working her magic on her. A mystic covenant is binding; she cannot resist. “Prepare to die, sow!” the Enchantress tells her.
Elsewhere, the villains are standing outside Volcana’s building. Molecule Man indicates to the sky and tells Octopus to look. Octopus is confused: look at what? Then he realizes there are stars in the sky… but the Beyonder destroyed all the stars! Owen explains he just reconstructed them and reignited them! It was easy! He can do anything with matter and energy. He’s learning how to do spacewarps, too. That’s how he popped into Marsha’s living room so suddenly before. With just a little more practice…
“No!” Octopus snaps at him. He believes Molecule Man is lying; it can’t be true! His tentacles remove a large chunk of granite and hurl it against Owen. Owen manipulates a part of the concrete to shield himself from the attack. Octopus demands he admits it: it’s a trick! Owen asks him to take it easy! Octopus insists that no one makes a fool of him and promises he will kill him! “That does it!” an indignant Molecule Man snaps and manipulates the concrete under Octopus’ feet, ensnaring him in it.
Owen thinks Otto is not a well man. As soon as they get back, he’s going to deliver him – gift-wrapped – to the authorities. With any luck, they’ll put him into a nice institution for the criminally insane. It’s really for his own good; a good therapist can work wonders. “Isn’t that right, Marsha?” he remarks. Just then, the Lizard reveals that Volcana is gone – the witch-woman has taken her! But the Lizard knows the taste of Volcana’s scent and he will help Owen search for her!
Meanwhile, the Enchantress’ ritual is underway. Volcana wonders in agony how the sorceress can do this to her; how can she be so cruel? The Enchantress clarifies that Volcana’s life is forfeit in a noble cause. Doom means to invade Mephisto’s realm… and then, who knows? Golden Asgard itself may be next. She is no almsgiver… still, she is an Asgardian. She has a duty to her kind, to all-father Odin, and indeed, to life itself. Volcana’s time has come!
Suddenly, the Molecule Man and the Lizard lunge at her. Owen demands she stop that! “By the Norns… no!” the Enchantress growls. Molecule Man orders the Lizard to get her! The Enchantress drops Volcana, while cursing the two men: they know not what they do! She must away… to the only place within reach! Seeing her teleporting away, Volcana asks her lover to stop her! It is too late – still, the Lizard jumps at her and vanishes in a puddle of light, along with the Enchantress. The Lizard is bent on revenge: the Enchantress tried to hurt Volcana, so she must die!
Split-seconds later, the Lizard and the Enchantress rematerialize on Battleworld. The Lizard immediately claws the sorceress’ face. “Curse you, vermin!” the Enchantress screams and smacks him away. Restoring her beauty will cost her dearly in pain and sorcerous power. But this affront shall cost him dearly, as well. She needs no covenant, no consent, to rip away the life-force of a lower creature. His base existence is forfeit!
With that, she drains his life-force and wishes the dust of his rotting corpse to curse the ground it touches! And may the vile energies of his life-force prove to be enough! She realizes it’s uncertain… yet she must try. Struggling to concentrate for teleportation, she wishes she is taken to Asgard… or perhaps to death in the icy void. May Odin help her…
At that moment, in the tower of Doom, the Latverian doses on his sofa. Klaw slyly creeps towards him, his eyes glowing strangely. Just then, Doom gasps and wakes up. He realizes he nearly fell asleep and chides his servant: he told him not to let him fall asleep! Doesn’t Klaw realize what might happen if he slept? The power might rise… Controlled only by Doom’s subconscious, his dreams, it might throw all reality into chaos, or even cause the destruction of the universe. Or maybe he’d even accidentally revive the heroes, Klaw innocently grins. That could happen, couldn’t it? It’s not beyond Doom’s power, is it?
Not yet, Doom replies while cleaning his face with water from a bowl. He urges Klaw to speak to him no more of the heroes; they are dead! If Doom didn’t recreate them somewhere along the lines without realizing it, Klaw insists. Doom stresses he did not. He is in full control of his power. He knows what he has done… and whom he has undone. Klaw reveals there’s another way. “Another way they might yet live?” Doom wonders. Curious, he asks what it is. Klaw, being master of sound, decides to make 3-D images from solidified sound-energy. He’ll use them to act it out for Doom. It will be a play! Doom urges him to go on.
Klaw begins his visual demonstration of what has transpired. Doom watches, seated comfortably on his sofa. He first sees the healer Zsaji, as she witnesses the destruction. Hopping a cab, or what passes for one in her culture – a high-flying creature, she rushes to the scene, where she finds the gory remains of the bodies of the victims. Straining her healing power to the utmost – it’s really just a matter of moving energy – she feeds lie-force into each tattered piece of carrion she finds. All she can accomplish is to put into the stasis the cellular-level life which lingers, preserving the victims at the grey fringes of utter non-existence.
Finally, she discovers the body of her lover, Colossus – irretrievably dead by normal, human standards, yet less damaged than the rest. Captain America had warned him that a bolt from the blue might strike them dead, so he instinctively shifted into his armored form at the last instant. Zsaji pours her energy into him and succeeds in bringing him back from the very threshold of ultimate death. Made whole again, Colossus opens his eyes to see Zsaji breathe her last. Drained of every iota of her life-force, now, she dies in his arms.
But not for long. Though grief-stricken, Colossus knows what he must do. He locates the corpse of Mister Fantastic. Richards’ body, like Colossus’, is less shredded than the rest, due to its elastic nature. He takes what there is of it to the fortress’ medical chambers, where the healing machines are. He’s seen Richards operate them… and he manages to make one work. Thus, Reed Richards is restored. Working feverishly, Richards uses the alien technology of the fortress to invent and build a massive cell-regeneration device. Using it, he tries to save his comrades… and succeeds. And they’re on their way her right now! The end… maybe, Klaw finishes his enactment as he sports a mischievous grin.
Clenching his teeth with sudden fear, Doom protests what Klaw said is absurd. That couldn’t happen; the odds are impossible! Perhaps, Klaw remarks. But maybe Doom sort of helped things along. Maybe he secretly, subconsciously, wanted them to survive… to rise from the ashes and live again. Doom accuses him he speaks madness. Klaw asks him why he didn’t atomize them, then. The old blow-em-apart-with-a-bolt-from-the-blue trick suits Doom’s flair for the dramatic, but there must be dozens of super ways to kill them.
Doom insists he killed them surely enough. The mad scenario Klaw suggests is sheer nonsense. Klaw proposes an easy way to make sure: Doom could just turn the power on again and use his godlike omniscience to check on them. Doom gives in and decides to do so. However, seeing Doom pause with an expression of fear and uncertainty on his face, Klaw urges him to go ahead.
“Curse you, Klaw!” Doom snaps and hurls a pot from the table against him. Now that Klaw has told him his wretched tale, Doom may make it come true if he lets the power rise. His merest stray thought, the slightest doubt might alter reality! But if he does not let the power rise and refresh himself, eventually he shall grow weary and fall asleep. And then…?
He realizes this is madness! He must drive these thoughts, these doubts, from his mind. He repeats to himself: they are dead. And yet… how many times in the past has he thought that Reed Richards was dead? And if there were one man who might overcome the odds is it not Captain America? “No… no…” he grunts and again tries to convince himself that they are dead!
However, just then his claim is contradicted as the hammer Mjolnir crashes through the tower and soars above his head! “Then, again…” Klaw smiles wickedly at the sight of this. Doom immediately recognizes the hammer of Thor! He realizes they live! It is true! It happened! He must the power rise and destroy them again! As he allows the power to rise and flow from him, blazing flames manifest all around him and the entire Battleworld is engulfed in terrifying forces of energy which threaten to rip it apart. Klaw realizes in terror that Doom’s power is running amok!
“Close… very close!” a horrified Doom realizes as he immediately withdraws his fearsome power and puts it in check again. He nearly destroyed all reality. The power ran wild. He was barely able to rein it in! His mind is churning… thoughts racing… making difficult to govern the power. Klaw urges him to calm down and relax. He suddenly comes up with an idea: he will destroy the heroes for Doom. “You?” Doom asks in disbelief. Klaw cheerfully suggests that Doom just give him some of his power, and he will do it. In the meantime, Doom can take it easy!
Very well, the glowing Doom concurs. He tells Klaw to touch his hand. “Oh boy!” Klaw squeals with excitement. His and Doom’s pointers touch in their tips. “More! More!” Klaw encourages him. “Enough!” Doom barks and withdraws his finger. He has given him an infinitesimal micro-fraction of his strength. Enough to blacken ten thousand suns… far more than enough to slay them! He urges him to go and fight, while Doom himself will once again contain the power and compose himself.
At that moment, outside the tower, Cap spearheads the attack of the assembled heroes. Judging from the incredible upheaval they just saw, Reed surmises that Thor’s hammer got Doom’s attention. He instructs Thor to hit him again, quick! Spider-Man goes ahead of everyone and warns them that his spider-sense just kicked into overdrive. Something awesomely dangerous this way comes! Cap tells them to look alive and be ready for anything!
An enormous three-eyed monster with forked tongue suddenly materializes at the tower’s entrance and bellows at them. The Thing wonders where in the blazes that came from! Cap urges them to hit it… hard and fast! Further below the monster, Klaw is elated. Instead of just sound images, he can now create real things. He decides he’ll make an army of weird creatures. But first, he resolves to revive Ultron!
Indeed, by his will, Ultron becomes alive again – as alive as robots get anyway! He reminds the newly resurrected Ultron that he used to be Doom’s bodyguard. Now, Klaw gives him a promotion to captain of Doom’s army. His mission is to wipe out the attacking heroes. His army will be along any minute… but Ultron can go ahead and start without them. Ultron snarls that he needs no army! Maybe not, but you will have one anyway, Klaw cackles and generates an array of gigantic monsters.
The epic battle between the heroes and Klaw’s abominations begins. One of the monsters, a blue, medium-sized monster, jumps on the Thing. Ben, cocky as usual, promises he will ram the creature’s head and his tailpipe and…
Suddenly, he realizes in horror he’s losing his strength: he’s changing back to his human form, back to Ben Grimm! Seeing him in trouble, She-Hulk urges him to get out of here; she will hold this creature off! Indignant, Ben screams that this can’t happen now! He won’t let it! Taxing himself to his limits, he managed to reverse the change and fully return to his Thing form again, much to She-Hulk’s amazement! She didn’t think he could do that! Ben admits he couldn’t before, but he just did it – and he then pummels the Bejesus out of his assailant.
Ben tells Jennifer that ever since he came to this planet, he’s been flip-flopping without wanting to. Something about here must make that possible. But whatever it is… he can control it now! He knows it! Moved by this realization, he begins to cry like a baby. Startled, She-Hulk doesn’t know what to say. Ben tells her to just keep clobbering.
Nearby, Hulk wallops Ultron. He finds that Ultron was once a walking junkpile, but now he’s just junk! Nothing could survive a punch like that! Ultron is incredulous: Hulk managed to damage him… but not nearly enough. He responds with a blast concentrated on Hulk’s left leg. As Hulk screams and clutches his aching leg, Iron Man, Spider-Woman, Wasp and Wolverine cut in and engage Ultron. Iron Man tells Hulk to hang on. They’ll bust this clown up for him in no time. Wasp, who has had prior experience with Ultron, warns them not to grapple him: he’s too strong! “Now she tells us!” Iron Man exclaims as Ultron repels them all with a beam. Ultron promises that his next beam will vaporize them! But before he is able to proceed, he unexpectedly blows up before their eyes! Iron Man deduces that maybe his warranty has just now expired!
“Don’t be silly! It was pretty little me!” Janet reveals as she emerges from the remnants of Ultron. She got inside the space created when the Hulk dented Ultron a little and just started yanking wires. “Heads up!” Iron Man cautions them. They aren’t out of the woods yet – there’s more of these things! Indeed, one of the giant monsters tries to squash them with its foot – the heroes barely escape being splattered.
As the battle continues, Cap realizes this is hopeless. They’ll never win, unless he can get past these catspaws and carry the fight to Doom himself. As he makes his way across the battlefield, he finally reaches Klaw. Klaw knows what he’s thinking, but warns Cap that he’ll never pass him. He wields power beyond Cap’s imagining now! Cap defiantly retorts that power doesn’t impress him. “Out of my way, Klaw!” he growls as he maneuvers around him with impressive agility and kicks him hard in the face. With Klaw is seemingly knocked out, Cap hurriedly rushes into the tower. A moment later, Klaw stops faking his unconsciousness and rises, a devilish smile on his face. “Perfect, erfect, erfect…” he happily chants.
Seconds later, deep within the tower, Cap storms inside Doom’s leisure room and addresses the Latverian. Doom is less than shocked: if one among Cap’s group could get this far, it would of course be Cap himself. It does not matter, of course, that he has won his way in here. There is nothing Captain America can do to harm him – no way in all the infinite universe that a mere mortal could conquer one who is omnipotent. Cap rejoins that he wouldn’t be so sure about that. After all… Doom did conquer the Beyonder. And why would Doom have gone through the trouble of killing them in the first place, unless he was afraid!
“Enough!” Doom cuts him short. Cap shall not conquer him! He tells him to behold, as he lets the infinite power, the power which makes him supreme and invincible, rise. “…And let the universe beware…” he utters as he begins glowing more and more, the power surging through him. Perfect, a satisfied Klaw whispers as he secretly watches the scene from a distance. “Die, Avenger!” Doom howls as he blasts the assaulting Captain America… and reduces him to ashes. Doom stands triumphant: Cap is atomized; gone forever. Now, he must calm the raging storm in his soul… bring order to his thoughts, lest the random spillage of power cosmic caused by his inner unrest cause the unthinkable!
“Oh… no… no!” he screams suddenly as he sees emerging alive and well at a different part of the room and lunging at him. “You… you must die… and stay dead!” a terrified Doom shrieks and blasts him again to smithereens. Yet again, Cap materializes in another part of the room and renews his attack. “This is it, Doom…!” Cap exclaims as he maneuvers around Doom’s blasts.
Doom suddenly crumbles, without even being touched by Cap. Steve realizes he’s fighting another battle inside, to control his endless power. Has his winning this fight meant that the loser of Doom’s inner conflict is the universe?! Seeing Doom glowing and flipping out, he warns him he’s losing touching with reality; he needs an anchor! Extending his hand to him, Cap offers to help him. He begs him to let him help before it’s too late! “Too late? No, no, no…!” Klaw snickers as he watches this – the time is just right! A strange glow rises in his eyes.
And then, eerily, silently, the shimmering radiance that is all that remains of the once-omnipotent Beyonder issues forth, exiting the body of Klaw. A sphere of raw energy in the center of the room, the Beyonder reclaims his power with sudden savageness, absorbing it back from Doom. Doom instantly collapses. Klaw asks his master to forgive him. The Beyonder took over his body! He used Klaw’s guile, his wits, his cunning to engineer this! Klaw realizes it was he who set Doom up for this and asks his master’s forgiveness!
The Beyonder – still an impersonalized shape of energy floating amidst them – changes Doom back to his original form. Klaw realizes what this means for Doom: the scars in his face will return. “Out of my way, stupid!” he shoves Cap aside and rushes to Doom’s aid. He must be with his master! But then, the Beyonder engulfs both Klaw and the senseless Doom in blazing light and they both vanish. Shocked, Cap realizes they are both gone.
Soon, Cap exits the tower and rejoins the heroes. Reed informs him they drove Klaw’s creatures away and everyone’s all right. He asks him what happened in here. For the moment, it’s over, Cap replies. He promises to tell them the whole story later. Right now, they should get back at Doombase, where they have some important business.
A bit later, the heroes pay their respects to a newly-built grave for the fallen Zsaji. Colossus silently kneels before the tombstone, bidding his beloved farewell. As they begin to leave, Kurt asks him if he’s coming. He begs him to come; there is nothing more… Logan tells Kurt to cool it and leave Piotr alone. They begin to leave.
Soon, inside Doombase, Reed announces he’s got a lot a work to do in the lab if he’s going to find a way to get them home. For a while, everyone else might as well just relax. Spider-Man admits he’s starved and decides to find himself a snack. “You heard the man, everybody! Free time!” Cap dismisses them.
Spidey soon finds the good old pantry: alien food never looked so… edible, anyway. As he begins to eat it, he wonders why all this interplanetary fruit look like eggplant. If he had to choose right now between peace on Earth and a big Mac it would be close! At least, with this nifty new costume, he doesn’t have to take his mask off to eat. It just opens up where and when he orders it to!
Shortly after finishing his meal, he begins snooping around, until he hears voices from a room. He wonders what all the ruckus is. Maybe they’ve got a super TV in there that’s picking up the Muppets! When he enters the room, he comes across the costume making machine and a handful of heroes.
Storm and Professor Xavier are having an argument. Storm assumed that, once they returned to Earth, she would once again function as leader of the team. Xavier reassures her she shall… generally speaking. However, now that he is no longer confined to a wheelchair, he sees no reason not to occasionally assume a more active… and yes, combat-leadership role! That being the case, he considers it prudent to be appropriately attired! Ororo scoffs him: this is a game to him, still! She reminds him their lives are on their line.
Spider-Man notices something odd: they didn’t use the same machine he did when he made his outfit. He asks Human Torch and She-Hulk if their new duds do tricks, like respond to their thoughts. Johnny explains they’re just clothes. Spidey wonders why his own costume responds to his thoughts.
Meanwhile, in the lab, Reed has strapped a brace around Hulk’s wounded leg. He wishes he could use one of the healing machines to repair Hulk’s leg, but his gamma level seems to have risen sharply, lately. He’s afraid it would short out the machines. The crutch and leg brace should help him get around until he heals naturally, though. It’s the best he can do! Hulk naturally grouses.
Moments later, in a nearby corridor, Hawkeye across the staggering Hulk. Clint comments that it looks like Reed fixed him up pretty good. “What a guy, huh?” he speaks admiringly of Reed. He also showed Clint how to use some fabricating machines to make some new arrows! Bruce tells him to get out of his way and shut up! Clint realizes that Hulk has changed significantly in the past few days. He thinks Bruce is losing it… becoming totally savage and out of control again. He hopes he’s wrong. Maybe he’d make himself a few more arrows, some really heavy-duty ones – just in case!
Later, most of the heroes rest in a room, when suddenly a man, naked from the waist up, enters. Johnny wonders who that is. “Never mind that…!” Cyclops exclaims – where did he come from? Spider-Man recognizes Dr. Kurt Connors – the Lizard’s human form. He asks him what happened. Connors isn’t exactly certain. He woke up lying in a crater a few miles from here. He doesn’t remember how he got there – but he knows that the Lizard persona was somehow sucked out of him; it’s gone! He then saw this fortress and came here. Then – it’s strange – doors seemed to open almost magically for him, as if sensing that he wanted in… Peter finds that’s strange, but is still glad that Dr. Connors is here and okay.
Nightcrawler remarks that it’s good Dr. Connors found them before they departed this world forever. How horrible it would be to be stranded here. That reminds him – he wishes Kitty’s dragon would return.
Out of the blue, Kitty’s dragon does return at that particular moment, soaring cheerfully above their heads, in the company of another, similarly sized, green, female dragon. Rogue welcomes Lockheed and wonders where he’s been; they’ve been worried about him! Wolverine notices that, whatever Lockheed’s been up to, he’s managed to find time for some R and R with a local chippie! He teasingly asks Lockheed who his friend is.
Astounded, Steve tells Reed who has just entered the room that two amazing things just happened. Reed assures him he knows – and he thinks he knows why. He suspects it’s the same reason his lab work has been going so well lately. He believes that this “wish-fulfillment” phenomenon they’ve been experiencing is an after-effect of the battle against Doom. The planet itself seems to have been charged with residual energy which seems to respond to strong desire, or force of will. “Fallout!” Wolverine remarks. Something like that, Reed responds. Just then, Cap hastily departs from the room. Storm wonders where he’s going. Rogue doesn’t know, but he looks like a man with a mission!
Later, alone in his dimly lit chamber, Cap carefully arranges the shards of his legendary shield on his table – shards painstakingly sifted, one by one, from mounds of dust and debris, till every last splinter was accounted for. It was the product of a freak metallurgical accident, a metallic disc of unknown composition and unique properties, utterly impervious to any force or instrument which humans comprehend. But now it lies before him like a wounded friend. How many times has it saved his life? And now, its useful life is at an end, for no fire could melt it, no furnace could reforge it. It is forever broken, unless by force of will… or sheer desire… Cap can accomplish the impossible. Closing his eyes and wishing with all his strength, he achieves it. Smiling joyously, he grabs his shield, which is as good as new.
Shortly, they all gather on the barren wastes beyond the fortress walls. Cap tells everybody to pay attention. Reed’s going to explain how… Spider-Man interjects and asks Reed to just send them home. They don’t care how Reed’s gadget works! Reed insists this much he has to tell them. They’ll be travelling via the same alien construct the Beyonder used to bring them here. It’s still orbiting in space nearby. Once he beams them all up to the construct, it will teleport to Earth with them in it. It’ll land, as it did before, on Central Park, but it will project individuals to any destination they concentrate on. Reed also explains that they’ll have to enter the construct in small groups. Spider-Man, Dr. Connors, Hulk and Magneto will go first. Magneto announces they are ready. Spidey wonders why Magneto is not going with his buddies, the X-Men. Magnus explains that he must go his own way… for now. Reed then, who handles an apparatus, teleports the quintet back to Earth.
“First group away!” Mister Fantastic announces – now it’s the X-Men’s turn. Seeing Colossus sitting and brooding all by himself on a nearby rock, the X-Men wonders if he’s not coming. “No,’ he replies. Charles asks him to listen to him. He supposes it seems unfair. Zsaji brought Piotr back, but neither Reed’s machines nor Piotr’s fervent wishes, it seems, could bring her back. Apparently, at some point, death is irrevocable. Zsaji passed that point when she gave her life to Piotr. That is the tragic fact. All that remains in question is whether or not Colossus will fall into total despair and let it destroy him, thereby wasting the life she gave him.
Weeping, Piotr finally makes up his mind as he rises from the rock: he shall with them. Xavier is satisfied. He tells Reed they are ready. Just as Reed begins the process of teleporting them, Johnny points at the other dragon: it swooped in just as Reed pressed the button. The X-Men and the two dragons disappear in a blinding cacophony!
Johnny fears that didn’t look good. Reed explains it was just an energy fluctuation… albeit a rather dramatic one. He hopes it doesn’t cause problems with the X-Men’s rematerialization back on Earth! At least the device is still working! Cap announces that the Avengers are next, but wonders where She-Hulk is.
“Over here, Cap,” Jennifer shows up close by. In an unexpected turn of events, she announces that she’s not going with them – she’s taking Ben’s place in the Fantastic Four! To an already shocked Reed, the Thing insists he isn’t going back. Not yet, anyway. He figured the Fantastic Four needed someone strong to put them out of trouble, so he asked She-Hulk to take his place. Incredulous, Johnny asks him why. Ben guesses it’s because he’s got a lot to figure out. There’s something about this planet that lets him to change from the Thing to human. He can be regular old Ben Grimm again whenever he wants. He’s been dreaming of this day for years! And so long as he stays here, he’s got it!
Johnny urges him to come off: he’s got nothing and nobody here! Shifting back to his human experience at will, Ben rejoins that he’s got himself – his real self. Maybe they can’t understand that, but before he goes back to a place where he isn’t himself, and he knows he doesn’t fit in, he just wants to do some thinking. He asks Reed if he can leave him the gizmo – so Ben can come back later. “Yes, Ben, but…” Reed is about to protest. No buts, Ben retorts – it’s settled!
Shortly, the Avengers see the Fantastic Four off, and Captain Marvel bids her farewells to Jennifer, before they are all beamed away. “So much for the Avengers! So that leaves us!” Johnny remarks. Reed asks Ben one more time if he’s sure about this. Ben confirms he’s sure and urges them to go already! “All right, Ben,” Reed accepts his decision. However, he secretly wishes if he could only tell Ben what he suspects of his transformations – but it’s the kind of thing that might shatter a man… even a strong man like Ben. He decides better to say nothing… and hope he slowly discovers the truth for himself… or hides from it forever!
Ben urges them to get the show on the road! Reed reminds him that, whatever he does, he should not lose the device… His voice fades away, as Ben press the button and spirits them away. “Yeah, yeah, yeah! I read ya, mommy!” Ben jests. After every last one of them is gone, Ben soliloquizes that Reed is a nice guy… a little bit on the worry wart, thought. He’s going to be fine. A little lonesome maybe. Climbing on a rocky hill and resting on its peak, he recalls what that whut F.D.R. said once: “There ain’t nothing to fear…”