Chapter Summaries

Li Chen joined Natasha, Yelena, Skye, and Crystal on a covert mission to Russia to confront the Red Room, using the Hellfire Club’s resources to get them there. As the private plane took off, he pulled Natasha and Yelena close while they discussed the plan.

• Li Chen took the day off and met Skye and Crystal, while Natasha gathered everyone to prepare for the mission.
• Natasha briefed the group on the trip to Russia and warned them to dress for the cold; Skye and Crystal prepared winter gear.
• Li Chen called the White Queen, and the Hellfire Club arranged a private plane from Los Angeles to Russia.
• Skye and Crystal explored the plane’s entertainment, while Yelena and Natasha remarked on its extravagant luxury.
• Li Chen sent 2B and A2 to rest, then held Natasha and Yelena close as the three discussed their plan for the Red Room.

Li Chen traveled to Saint Petersburg while Natasha, Yelena, Skye, Crystal, 2B, and A2 headed to a Red Room base in the snow. Li Chen settled into his cover as the White King, while Natasha's team found the base abandoned and prepared to continue the mission.

• Li Chen arrived in Saint Petersburg alone, and Natasha and the others boarded a Hellfire Club fighter jet for their mission.
• Marusa welcomed Li Chen and brought him to the Saint Petersburg Hellfire Club, where he accepted the attention of the women prepared for him.
• Natasha's team changed into combat suits aboard the jet, and Natasha warned that the Red Room might have evacuated after losing contact with Yelena.
• Natasha told the team that Li Chen would help them, then led the descent to the base with Skye secured to her.
• Natasha and the others landed without encountering enemies, suggesting that Dreykov had abandoned the base.

Natasha, Yelena, 2B, and A2 reached Dreykov’s hidden base and prepared to rescue the Black Widows inside. As 2B took control of the base, Dreykov grew alarmed and summoned Melina, who suspected Yelena had come to attack and saw a chance to escape his control.

• Natasha ordered the group to stay alert after they landed near the hidden base.
• A2 detected signs of living humans inside, and Natasha and Yelena decided they had to save them.
• Yelena opened the base door, and 2B detected a bomb before taking control of the base’s systems.
• Dreykov became furious and summoned Melina, unsettled by how easily his enemies had overcome his defenses.
• Melina suspected Yelena had come to attack Dreykov and hoped the situation might give her a chance at freedom.

Li Chen guided Natasha and Yelena to an antidote that freed several controlled Black Widows, who then joined their effort to find Dreykov and rescue the others. As the group traveled under Yelena’s leadership, Li attended a Hellfire Club gathering and began forming an idea about the Black Widows.

• Li Chen used his sensing ability to check on Natasha and the others at the Red Room’s abandoned base.
• Li Chen told Natasha where to find red spray, and Natasha and Yelena used it to free the captured Black Widows from mind control.
• Michelle and the rescued Black Widows joined Natasha and Yelena, and the group set off to find Dreykov and free the remaining agents.
• Michelle named Yelena their leader, while the rescued Black Widows kept their distance from Natasha.
• Li Chen socialized with Hellfire Club members in Saint Petersburg while monitoring the group, then began forming an idea about the Black Widows.

Li Chen revealed Dreykov’s base to Natasha and discussed what should happen to the Black Widows after the Red Room fell, while Natasha’s team prepared to attack. The assault began with 2B and A2 hacking the base’s surveillance, and Dreykov tied up Melina as a potential hostage.

• Natasha told Li Chen she did not want the Black Widows transferred into another organization like S.H.I.E.L.D., and he promised to think of another plan.
• Yelena teased Michelle that Natasha had fallen in love with Li Chen while Li Chen entertained socialites at the Hellfire Club.
• Natasha assigned Yelena to help draw enemy fire and sent Skye and the others to use the antidote and find the controlled Black Widows.
• Natasha and Yelena led the assault as 2B and A2 hacked the base’s surveillance system.
• Dreykov ordered his forces to use lethal weapons and tied Melina up so he could use her as a bargaining chip.

Natasha and Yelena fought their way through the Red Room base, freeing controlled Black Widows as they searched for Dreykov. Red Widow blocked their path, and as the sisters struggled against her spear, more Widows arrived to capture them alive.

• Natasha and Yelena entered the base and knocked out Julia, then Skye and the others used the antidote to free her and the other controlled Black Widows.
• Julia and the newly freed Widows joined the effort to save their sisters, while Natasha and Yelena continued searching for Dreykov with Li Chen's directions.
• Natasha and Yelena encountered Red Widow, who declared her loyalty to the former Red Empire and attacked them with a spear.
• Red Widow kept the sisters at a distance, and a group of controlled Black Widows arrived and hurled lassos at them to take them alive.

Natasha, Yelena, and their allies freed the Black Widows from Dreykov’s control and captured Red Widow. They confronted Dreykov at the base, where he revealed Melina as his hostage.

• Natasha and Yelena let the controlled Black Widows restrain them so Michelle could throw the antidote into the crowd, where Julia shot the vial and released the women from Dreykov’s control.
• The freed Black Widows thanked Natasha and Yelena, then teamed up to subdue Red Widow while the others went to find Dreykov.
• Dreykov realized Melina had given the Black Widows the antidote, accused her of betrayal, and slapped her when she defied him.
• Dreykov gathered the remaining controlled Black Widows and discovered that fewer than half of the base’s agents were still under his control.
• Natasha, Yelena, and their allies confronted Dreykov after 2B and A2 disabled the base’s security systems, and Dreykov revealed he was holding Melina at gunpoint.

Natasha, Yelena, and the Black Widows killed Dreykov and prepared to escape the Red Room with Melina. After Li Chen arranged their rescue, Natasha introduced him to Melina as her boyfriend.

• Dreykov held Melina at gunpoint, but 2B shot his gun hand and Yelena led the Black Widows in beating him to death.
• Melina began operating the Red Room equipment and told Natasha they had to rescue the other controlled Black Widows; Natasha said Li Chen would help them escape.
• Melina and Natasha gathered the Black Widows, including the captive Red Widow, and prepared to leave after setting bombs in the base.
• Hellfire aircraft took the Black Widows to safety, and they boarded a passenger plane to leave.
• Natasha introduced Li Chen to Melina as her boyfriend and explained that he had arranged everything.

Li Chen offered Melina and the rescued Black Widows places in the Hellfire Club and the choice to continue as agents or pursue ordinary lives or stardom. During the flight to Los Angeles, he flirted with Melina while Natasha and Yelena talked, and the chapter ended with the sisters asking Natasha about her work as a movie star.

• Li Chen told Melina he would help the Black Widows find work through the Hellfire Club and let them choose their own futures.
• Most of the Black Widows said they preferred to remain agents, and Li Chen asked Melina and Yelena to manage them together.
• Melina was surprised to see Yelena sitting comfortably in Li Chen's arms while Natasha showed no objection.
• Li Chen spent the flight chatting and flirting with Melina, who responded warmly to his attention.
• Natasha and Yelena returned to talk with Melina, and Natasha explained how a mission had led her to make a movie.

Li Chen welcomed the Black Widows into the Hellfire Club and sent them to free others from the Red Room’s control. After returning home, he watched Bayonetta and Jeanne model their new clothes, sparking a playful competition.

• The White Queen explained that the Black Queen still controlled the Hellfire Club, while Li Chen told her there were over a thousand Black Widows worldwide.
• Li Chen entrusted Melina and Yelena with the Black Widows, and the White Queen welcomed them as allies under Li Chen.
• Melina and Yelena led the Black Widows on a worldwide mission to locate their controlled comrades and free them using an improved antidote.
• Natasha returned to New York, while Skye and Crystal said goodbye to Li Chen before he went home.
• Bayonetta modeled a purple dress and a white dress for Li Chen, then Jeanne changed into tight pants and competed with Bayonetta over whose legs were longer.

Li Chen and Mary Jane attended the premiere of Iron Man, which starred the real-life Tony Stark and was expected to become a major hit. Mary Jane walked the red carpet as the leading lady while Tony arrived to an ecstatic crowd and tight security.

• Li Chen declined to join Ridley Scott’s next epic film project after recalling the losses from Scott’s previous epics.
• Li Chen and Mary Jane arrived at the Chinese Theatre for the Iron Man premiere, where Mary Jane asked about the film’s box office and Li Chen predicted it would earn at least a billion dollars.
• Mary Jane walked the red carpet to cheers and camera flashes while Li Chen entered the theater from another entrance.
• Mary Jane hurried into the theater when the media turned its attention to Tony Stark, then told Li Chen that the film’s success mattered more than red-carpet photographs.
• Tony Stark posed confidently for reporters as fans cheered, while the LAPD maintained heavy security against possible attacks.

At the premiere of Iron Man, Tony Stark embraced the public attention while Li Chen slipped away with Scarlett Johansson. After the screening, Li Chen, Mary Jane, Gwen Stacy, and Li Qianhuan left for the Hilton, with Mary Jane celebrating her dream come true.

• Li Chen welcomed Tony Stark to the premiere, where a large security presence and Black Widows kept the event safe.
• Li Chen reunited with Scarlett Johansson and other Hollywood acquaintances, then declined Scarlett’s invitation because he had plans with Mary Jane and Gwen Stacy.
• Scarlett Johansson asked Li Chen to meet her in the restroom, where she pulled him into a stall and kissed him.
• The audience applauded the film, and Tony Stark announced onstage that he was Iron Man while he and Mary Jane thanked the crowd.
• Li Chen and Mary Jane skipped the after-party and left with Gwen Stacy, who asked Mary Jane how the premiere felt.
• Li Chen told Li Qianhuan to drive them to the Hilton, while Mary Jane kissed him and noticed a sweet taste.

Li Chen and Lorna celebrated the record-breaking advance screening sales for “Iron Man” before Loki met Thanos, who offered him the Mind Scepter to help him claim the Asgardian throne. Loki accepted the offer and chose to take the Mind Stone first, leaving his plans beyond that undecided.

• Lorna told Li Chen that “Iron Man” had earned fifty million from advance screenings, and he predicted the film would pass a billion at the box office.
• Li Chen pulled Lorna into his arms, and she understood that Gwen Stacy would not be coming to the office.
• Loki survived his fall from the Bifrost because his Frost Giant bloodline let him endure space.
• A Chitauri brought Loki to meet Thanos, who offered to help him become Asgard’s crown prince.
• Thanos showed Loki the Mind Scepter, and Loki accepted it without hesitation.

After "Iron Man" became a record-breaking hit, Li Chen gained a huge number of reputation points and drew several rewards, including complete Nano Armor Technology. He raised his brain development to thirty-five percent and wondered whether his growing abilities were making him less human.

• "Iron Man" passed four hundred million dollars at the North American box office and one billion worldwide after two weeks in theaters.
• At Starlight Pictures' celebration party, Li Chen saw his reputation points reach 250000 and considered making a "Captain America" film starring Captain America himself.
• Li Chen decided to have Natasha contact Captain America and spent 100000 reputation points on ten draws.
• Li Chen drew one bag of CPH4, an Empress Summoning Fragment, and complete Nano Armor Technology.
• Li Chen used the CPH4 from his later draws to raise his brain development to thirty-five percent and wondered if he was leaving his humanity behind.

Li Chen offered Tony Stark nanotechnology in exchange for Tony making Nano Suits, and the two agreed on terms for the deal. Li Chen also asked Tony to make a suit for Ghost-Spider, leaving Tony curious about her relationship with Li Chen.

• Li Chen and Tony Stark left the party to discuss a technology Li Chen wanted to show him.
• Li Chen proposed using nanotechnology in the Iron Man Armor, and Tony became eager to obtain it.
• Li Chen offered the Nano Suit technology for free in exchange for finished suits, and Tony agreed to his conditions after initially refusing.
• Li Chen agreed to pay for the suits and reactors, then suggested Tony make the reactors rechargeable.
• Tony said Yinsen had returned to the Middle East and that Stark Industries had funded a hospital and security for him.
• Li Chen gave Tony the Nano Suit technology and asked him to make a suit for Ghost-Spider, prompting Tony to tease him about her.

Li Chen celebrated his agreement with Tony Stark while spending time with Gwen Stacy, Mary Jane, and the Black Widows. Meanwhile, Bayonetta and Jeanne spotted more vampires in Los Angeles, and Li Chen put them under special attention as they prepared to confront them.

• Li Chen agreed to attend the Black Widows' party, met Tatyana, and told Gwen Stacy about the Iron Man Armor.
• Gwen Stacy and Mary Jane left the party with Li Chen, while Tony Stark planned to return to New York and copy the nanotechnology armor.
• Bayonetta and Jeanne noticed fast-moving pursuers on the road and suspected they were vampires.
• Jeanne called Li Chen to warn him about the newcomers, and he told her to be careful.
• Li Chen placed Bayonetta and Jeanne under special attention so he would sense if they encountered danger.

Bayonetta and Jeanne confronted Lilith, an original member of the Blood Clan, who offered to recruit them and revealed she wanted their help killing Dracula. When they refused to submit, they attacked her, but Lilith easily blocked their moves as Bayonetta drew a gun hidden in her heel.

• Bayonetta, Jeanne, and Arcee traveled to a deserted part of Los Angeles, where Bayonetta and Jeanne dodged a sudden attack that tore their outfits.
• Lilith introduced herself as a noble member of the Blood Clan and offered to transform Bayonetta and Jeanne or make them submit to her.
• Bayonetta and Jeanne rejected Lilith's offer, and Lilith explained that she wanted help killing her father, Dracula.
• Jeanne suggested Lilith join their master, but Lilith said he had not yet appeared in this world and threatened to beat them into submission.
• Bayonetta and Jeanne attacked Lilith together, but Lilith blocked their strikes until Bayonetta aimed a gun concealed in her high heel at her.

Lilith explained why she could not kill Dracula and asked Bayonetta and Jeanne for help. They agreed to lure him to Los Angeles, and Lilith revealed two ways he might be killed.

• Lilith caught Bayonetta's ultraviolet bullet and showed Bayonetta and Jeanne that she could transform into bats.
• Lilith told Bayonetta and Jeanne that Dracula had driven her and her mother from their home, then killed the Gypsy woman who raised her and her son.
• Lilith explained that Gretchen had turned her into a vampire, but Blood Clan bloodline suppression prevented her from killing Dracula.
• Lilith asked Bayonetta and Jeanne for help, and Bayonetta agreed on the condition that Dracula be brought to Los Angeles.
• Lilith said the Darkhold's Montesi Formula could destroy all vampires on Earth and that Dracula would die faster the closer he got to the sun.

After learning that Dracula was difficult to kill, Li Chen turned to work and decided to cast Yelena as Supergirl in James Wan’s upcoming film. He invited her to audition, and she eagerly accepted the chance to appear on the big screen.

• Li Chen worried about Dracula’s near-immortality and the possibility that Lilith’s spell could be lifted.
• James Wan told Li Chen that the Superman sequel was nearly finished and asked him to find an actress for Supergirl.
• Li Chen decided to release the movie at the end of the year and called Yelena about a role.
• Li Chen told Yelena that an alien invasion was part of a movie mission, then revealed he wanted her to play Supergirl.
• Yelena agreed to come to the studio, and Li Chen considered her appearance a good fit for the role.

Li Chen brought Yelena to the Superman 2 set to try out for Supergirl, whose role would appear in a post-credits scene. After comparing two Super Suits, Li Chen favored the classic comic-inspired costume, leaving the production with its leading look for the character.

• Li Chen introduced Yelena to director James Wan as their choice for Supergirl, and James Wan agreed to have her try on the costumes.
• Yelena wore a classic blue-and-red Super Suit with a short skirt, cape, and stockings, and Li Chen and James Wan approved her appearance.
• Yelena changed into a second, skintight Super Suit that emphasized her muscles and gave her a more powerful look.
• James Wan asked Li Chen which costume he preferred, and Li Chen chose the classic suit because it was faithful to the comics and visually distinctive.