Chapter Summaries

Allen met Tony Stark and Pepper at his grocery store, where he warned Tony against building a super artificial intelligence like the Supreme Intelligence. Tony remained determined to create one, and Allen gave him the Supreme Intelligence’s core data before teleporting him and Pepper home.

• Allen told Tony and Pepper about his travels in space and showed them images of Rocket and Groot, explaining that Rocket had been created through cruel biological experiments.
• Allen argued that violence underpinned civilization and that meaningful change required control of power, prompting Tony to say he would consider the idea.
• Tony gathered magical metals and enchantment materials for roughly a thousand Iron Man Armors and chose a defensive, teleporting ring for Pepper.
• Allen warned Tony that the Supreme Intelligence had taken control of the Kree and cautioned that humanity was not ready to manage such a powerful artificial intelligence.
• Tony insisted he would limit the AI's authority, and Allen gave him the Supreme Intelligence's core data, explaining that it was a biological computer.
• Allen teleported Tony and Pepper home; Tony rushed to his laboratory to study the data while Pepper tested her ring.

Allen watched Tony Stark's artificial intelligence research while Hydra prepared to strike S.H.I.E.L.D. and reclaim influence under Gideon Malick. Gideon targeted Lena for her prophetic ability, and an unknown sender offered her a chance to regain her freedom.

• Allen let the Guardians monitor Tony Stark and copy his artificial intelligence experiments while he watched events unfold.
• Gideon Malick ordered an attack on S.H.I.E.L.D.'s secret ferry after learning Baron Strucker's twin test subjects had gained powerful abilities.
• Gideon learned that S.H.I.E.L.D. had acquired two Inhumans, including Lena, who was suspected of seeing the future, and ordered Hydra's former magic apprentices contacted to obtain her files and seize her.
• Stephanie Malick warned her father about Coulson, but Gideon said Lena posed the greater threat and studied her photograph and information.
• Lena, imprisoned at the International Security Council headquarters, received a mysterious note asking whether she wanted her freedom back and answered yes.

Lena received a warning from a hidden Hydra member, while Sura and his young followers plotted to eliminate S.H.I.E.L.D.’s magic apprentices and rebuild Hydra. Coulson traveled to Azerath Sky City to begin Allen’s dangerous training, where Allen separated his soul and summoned Hollows to force him to awaken his Reiatsu.

• A mysterious woman sent Lena a note warning her not to make agreements with S.H.I.E.L.D. or the International Security Council and promising to help her escape.
• Sura and his Hydra followers plotted to kill the S.H.I.E.L.D.-loyal magic apprentices during a planned experiment and blame them for the deaths.
• Coulson left Melinda in charge of the Bureau and used a magic scroll to travel to Azerath Sky City.
• Allen struck Coulson and separated his soul from his body, then explained Reiatsu and the training ahead.
• Allen created two Hollows, and Coulson felt fear rise as he faced them in his spiritual form.

Allen trained Coulson to awaken his Reaper abilities through dangerous battles, teaching him Shunpo and Kido as he began a month-long regimen in Azerath. Meanwhile, Tony Stark extracted the Supreme Intelligence’s data, then joined the Avengers after S.H.I.E.L.D. found the Mind Scepter and Baron Strucker’s research base.

• Coulson used Shunpo to evade two Hollows and rapidly refined the technique while Allen explained the four fundamental Reaper skills.
• Coulson chose Kido, learned Hadō #1: Shō, and accidentally sent himself and a Hollow flying when he failed to control its power.
• Allen summoned stronger Hollows and began teaching Coulson Hadō #4: Byakurai, starting his month-long hellish training under Azerath’s tenfold time difference.
• Tony Stark extracted the Supreme Intelligence’s core data and continued building a magically enhanced Iron Legion.
• Maria Hill and Melinda summoned the Avengers after tracing Daniel Whitehall’s remaining forces to the Mind Scepter and Baron Strucker’s secret research base.
• Steve, Hawk Eyes, Black Widow, Thor, and Banner answered the summons, and the First Avengers gathered again.

The Avengers reunited at Stark Tower as Maria Hill briefed them on Hydra's experiments on Inhumans and the political risks of contacting their hidden community. Coulson arrived after Allen's brutal training and announced that he would join the coming operation to test his new skills.

• Tony Stark greeted the Avengers, and he questioned Steve Rogers about whether he had found Bucky Barnes; Steve said Bucky was still avoiding him.
• Thor and Hawk Eyes called for drinks, and Natasha served the group while Maria Hill explained that Alesia had stayed away to avoid the human conflict.
• Maria Hill identified Dr. List as a Hydra scientist working with Baron Strucker on the Mind Scepter and superpowers, and Natasha explained the Inhumans' origins and dormant genes.
• Maria Hill said S.H.I.E.L.D. had reports of a secluded Inhuman settlement, and Banner, Natasha, Hawk Eyes, and Tony discussed the risks of contacting or supporting it.
• Tony asked where Coulson was, and Coulson emerged through a portal with Allen after undergoing special training.
• Coulson told the Avengers he was fine and said he would join their operation to test the results of his training.

Tony Stark welcomed Coulson to the Avengers, while Allen revealed that the International Security Council had assigned him to observe their operation and recover Loki’s Mind Scepter. The Avengers and their allies attacked Hydra’s stronghold in Sokovia, leaving Baron Strucker’s base on the verge of defeat.

• Tony Stark teased Hawk Eyes about being the weakest Avenger, then welcomed Coulson aboard after Coulson explained that he expected to lose his position as S.H.I.E.L.D. director.
• Allen showed Tony Stark the International Security Council’s authorization for him to observe the mission and take custody of Loki’s Mind Scepter, though Tony planned to study it.
• Tony Stark deployed the Iron Legion, and the Avengers flew to Sokovia to retrieve the Mind Scepter and prevent danger to nearby civilians.
• Tony Stark, Hulk, Thor, and the other Avengers breached Hydra’s defenses, with Coulson’s Death power helping turn the fight decisively in their favor.
• Hawk Eyes and Steve Rogers discussed Natasha Romanoff’s plans to have a child with Allen’s stone, then fought on as Baron Strucker realized his base was likely doomed.

The Avengers attacked Baron Strucker’s Hydra castle, forcing him to prepare to surrender while trying to keep Wanda and Pietro from joining the fight. The twins left anyway, but Allen stopped them, defeated Pietro, and promised he could resurrect either sibling if they died; Wanda then hid to attack the Avengers’ minds.

• Dr. List warned Baron Strucker that the Avengers were overwhelming Hydra’s defenses, and Strucker ordered a counterattack before deciding to surrender and erase the research files.
• Strucker and Dr. List discovered that Wanda and Pietro had left the castle to face the Avengers.
• Allen confronted the twins, struck Pietro down when he attacked at super speed, and warned him not to approach from behind.
• Allen introduced himself, promised to resurrect either twin if they died, and left through a spatial passage.
• Pietro urged Wanda to stop dwelling on Allen’s warning and went to confront the Avengers, while Wanda hid in the castle to invade their minds.

The Avengers struggled against Quicksilver and Hulk’s chaos as Iron Man breached Hydra’s castle using a burst of Arcane Energy. While Tony discovered the horrific experiments and the Mind Scepter below, Scarlet Witch Wanda secretly attacked him with Chaos Magic, trapping him in an illusion.

• Quicksilver repeatedly knocked down Captain America and Hawk Eyes, while Natasha treated Barton’s wound with a healing potion.
• Hulk and Thor began fighting, and Allen and Vilnalasath discussed the twins’ powers and their plan to gather the Infinity Stones before pursuing the universe’s magic.
• Iron Man fought through Hydra’s suicide bombers, then used the Iron Legion’s Magic Cores to disrupt the castle’s shield without destroying its research facilities.
• Tony entered the castle, seized control of its computer room, and found a hidden basement filled with Chitauri specimens and the remains of human test subjects.
• Tony deduced that Hydra had used the Mind Scepter to create weapons and enhanced people, and Scarlet Witch Wanda approached unseen and trapped him in a terrifying illusion.

After witnessing a vision of Earth’s destruction, Tony Stark remained determined to build a powerful artificial intelligence, while Allen challenged him over the danger it could pose. As the Avengers returned from Hydra’s base, Allen took Wanda and Quicksilver to a lavish New York restaurant, where Wanda wondered who he really was.

• Tony Stark studied Hydra’s records on the Mind Stone and defended his decision to pursue a super artificial intelligence despite the risks.
• Allen warned Tony that creating an independent artificial mind could endanger humanity, but Tony kept the Mind Scepter to study it.
• Steve Rogers found Hydra’s human experimentation records and corpses, then left the base furious as the Avengers headed back to New York.
• Allen teleported to Wanda and Quicksilver and offered to treat them to a meal in New York.
• Quicksilver tested Allen’s portal and hurried into the Empire State Building, where Allen brought the Twins to a top-floor restaurant.
• Wanda asked Allen who he was, while Quicksilver began eating the meal he had prepared.

Allen sent Wanda and Quicksilver back to Sokovia after warning them against confronting the Avengers, then discussed the Darkhold and Soul Stone with Vilnalasath. As Gideon Malick gathered Hydra leaders to secure a sacrifice, Allen had already charmed Gideon’s daughter Stephanie and decided to take over the Soul Stone plan himself.

• Quicksilver and Wanda ate with contrasting manners, and Allen asked Wanda what they planned to do next.
• Allen warned the twins that Tony Stark’s plans could create a dangerous problem and cautioned them against challenging the Avengers directly.
• Allen opened a portal to Sokovia, gave Wanda a bank card with one million US dollars, and sent her and Quicksilver home.
• Allen and Vilnalasath discussed guarding the Darkhold and obtaining the Book of the Vishanti and Soul Stone.
• Crossbones seized a portal from a S.H.I.E.L.D. cargo ship, destroyed the ship, and prepared to deliver the portal to Gideon Malick.
• Gideon Malick gathered Hydra officials to arrange a sacrifice, unaware that Stephanie had been charmed by Allen, who resolved to take the field himself.

Gideon Malick gathered Hydra’s European leaders to obtain the Soul Stone, whose power required sacrificing someone they loved. After Crossbones opened a portal to Vormir, Gideon forced the assembled executives to draw cards to choose a sacrificer, leaving them facing the loss of a son or daughter.

• Gideon Malick summoned Hydra’s European leaders and told them the Soul Stone could grant control over souls, citing information from Alexander Pierce.
• Crossbones arrived at the castle with a portal and used energy from two Miniature Fusion Reactors to open a view of Vormir.
• On Gideon’s orders, Crossbones’s troops killed the executives’ guards, while Gideon shot two tycoons who rushed at him.
• Gideon explained that obtaining the Soul Stone required sacrificing the person one loved most and revealed the Malick family’s tradition of offering a life to Hive.
• Gideon forced the executives to draw playing cards, making the person who drew the highest card responsible for sacrificing a son or daughter.

Gideon Malick brought Hydra prisoners to Vormir to claim the Soul Stone, while Allen and Stephanie followed. Stephanie pushed Gideon off the cliff, allowing Allen to take the final Infinity Stone and complete his collection.

• Gideon Malick forced Alfonso to choose his beloved grandson as a sacrifice and took the prisoners through a portal to Vormir.
• Allen arrived at the castle with Stephanie, learned what Gideon had done, and used Charm on her so she vowed to retrieve the Soul Stone for him.
• Allen and Stephanie reached Vormir and found Gideon speaking with Red Skull, who explained that the Soul Stone required the death of the person Gideon cherished most.
• Stephanie confronted Gideon and pushed him off the cliff, where he died and the Soul Stone appeared.
• Allen took the Soul Stone, set it into the final slot, and unleashed terrifying energy as he declared that all six Infinity Stones were gathered.

Allen’s integration of all six Infinity Stones caused a catastrophic energy aftershock on Vormir and across Vienna, but Ancient One and Artoria restored the damage. The Avengers investigated the strange residual effects and missing Hydra leaders, then sought permission to visit Azerath Sky City and ask King Arthur what had happened.

• Allen’s energy aftershock destroyed the portal, devastated part of Vienna, and caused deaths and injuries as Hydra executives vanished or fled.
• Ancient One identified the energy as a minor aftershock from Allen integrating the six Infinity Stones, while Odin warned that the uncontrolled power could have destroyed the star system.
• Artoria resurrected the dead and healed the injured as Ancient One repaired Vienna, restoring the affected area within minutes.
• Thor, Tony Stark, Banner, and the Avengers arrived and found traces of chaotic time, space, and energy; Tony concluded that a powerful spellcaster had restored the area.
• Tony showed Coulson records of the missing Hydra executives and their families, and Coulson explained that the International Security Council had ordered a full investigation.
• Tony and Captain America recommended asking King Arthur about the incident, and Coulson submitted a request to enter Azerath Sky City.

After mastering all six Infinity Stones, Allen transformed into an adult and prepared to return to Earth with Red Skull. He ordered Red Skull to rebuild Hydra after slaughtering its leaders and descendants, leaving Red Skull alive to carry out his plans.

• Allen explained that he had mastered the full power of all six Infinity Stones and told Red Skull that he had gained strength by hunting beings who called themselves gods.
• Allen used the Stones to change his body from a ten-year-old child into a youth over 1.8 meters tall, then offered Red Skull a ride back to Earth.
• Allen told Red Skull that Hydra's ideas about uniting humanity and advancing technology had merit, but that its ranks needed to be purged.
• Allen used the Soul Stone to kill more than two hundred Hydra executives and their relatives, then collected their souls into a ball of energy.
• Red Skull questioned the deaths of the children, and Allen insisted that they were not innocent because they had benefited from Hydra privilege.
• Red Skull bowed and agreed to rebuild Hydra as Allen ordered, after Allen warned that the Avengers could otherwise destroy it.

Doctor Banner, Tony Stark, Coulson, and the others visited Aelionteu, where a guardian revealed Hydra’s deep roots and explained that Gideon Malick and his allies were stranded beyond a destroyed portal. Allen returned in his adult form, announced that he had broken his height curse, and ordered Sky City evacuated and relocated as he prepared to create his own universe.

• Doctor Banner and Tony Stark marveled at the floating Aelionteu while Coulson asked a guardian about the Vienna disaster.
• The guardian revealed that Gideon Malick was Hydra and that Malick, Crossbones Brock Rumlow, and their captives were trapped on a remote planet after the portal was destroyed.
• Coulson and the others learned that Hydra remained entrenched throughout the world, then were told to leave Sky City because Allen was absent.
• Allen appeared in his adult form and explained that he had overcome the curse that made him shorter as his strength grew.
• Allen ordered Israel to summon the guardians and prepare Sky City for relocation, and the city raised its defenses before entering a spatial tunnel over the sea near Earth.

Allen began creating a universe with the Infinity Stones, forming space, matter, energy, and time before stars and primitive life appeared. He granted life thought and souls, but his body disintegrated, leaving only his soul and the six Stones.

• A family at sea saw Sky City and its warships emerge from a rift, but Chief Guardian Edna Bevin concealed them from view.
• Allen told Artoria he was beginning to create a world, while Tony Stark and the Avengers stayed behind Sky City and waited for the result.
• Coulson reported the situation, and the International Security Council restricted the surrounding airspace and sea to keep Sky City hidden.
• Allen erased the Game World and used the Space, Power, Reality, and Time Stones to create space, a Singularity, and a new universe.
• As stars, planets, galaxies, and primitive microorganisms formed, Allen used the Mind and Soul Stones to give life thought and souls, leaving his body destroyed and only his soul and the six Infinity Stones intact.

Allen used the Infinity Stones and remnants of the Game World’s rules to create a magical universe bound to his soul, then transformed Vilnalasath into a being who shared its power. They planned to confront Dormammu and teach Stephen Strange a lesson, while Vilnalasath returned the Infinity Stones to their designated places, leaving events poised to resume their prior course.

• Allen created a magical universe with six energy types, chose a planet called Azerath, and awakened the Titans of the Pantheon.
• Allen explained his new dimensional powers to Vilnalasath, rebuilt his body, and infused her with the universe’s energy until she transformed.
• Allen and Vilnalasath considered confronting Dormammu and planned to teach Stephen Strange a lesson after his car accident.
• Vilnalasath returned the Time Stone to Ancient One, who welcomed the prospect of Earth’s mages gaining independence from dimensional Demon Gods.
• Vilnalasath restored the other Infinity Stones to Loki, the Cosmic Collector, the Nova Corps on Xandar, the Mind Scepter, and the soul vessel on Vormir.

Allen brought Sky City and its warships to primitive Azerath, where no magic energy yet existed, and explained that he could let people draw power from the universe through him. Natasha became his believer and received Shadow Energy, while Allen sent the Avengers and S.H.I.E.L.D. personnel away before accelerating Azerath’s evolution.

• Coulson told Tony Stark that the International Security Council distrusted him and would likely remove him, and Tony offered him a place in the Avengers Alliance.
• A rift pulled Sky City and the surrounding warships into primitive Azerath, where Thor saw Elemental Lords fighting across Pangaea.
• Allen explained that Azerath lacked magic energy because the Titan Star Soul had not yet released its Arcane Energy, then promised to supply energy through a connection with him.
• Tony Stark and Steve Rogers considered becoming Allen’s believers, but Natasha agreed and received Shadow Energy through a contract.
• Allen teleported the Avengers and S.H.I.E.L.D. personnel away, then enveloped Sky City and the warships in energy and accelerated the universe’s evolution.

Tony Stark and the Avengers planned a party while Natasha prepared to become a mother, and Banner and Tony began researching the Mind Stone. In Azerath, the Titans awakened and formed the Pantheon under Aman'Thul, while Allen explained to Artoria why the universe needed opposing forces.

• Natasha told the Avengers that the Pregnancy Stone would begin a pregnancy in twelve days, and Tony proposed a party to celebrate and relax.
• Thor promised Tony Uru metal if the party was enjoyable, while Coulson left to handle S.H.I.E.L.D.'s reports and the aftermath of the Hydra operation.
• Tony pulled Banner into his laboratory, and the two began researching the Mind Stone to create a super artificial intelligence.
• After a billion years of accelerated time, Azerath's first Star Soul awakened, named itself Aman'Thul, and began bringing order to the universe.
• Aman'Thul found Eonar, Gorgonnes, Khaz'goroth, Norgannon, Argus, Sargeras, and other Titans, then established the Pantheon to awaken more Star Souls.
• Allen and Artoria watched the Titans work, and Allen explained that forces such as death, Fel Energy, and shadow were necessary for a complete universe.

Allen explained to Artoria that he had created the universe as both a safeguard against his own death and a world where they could experience lives and test whether individuals or the masses shaped history. As Sargeras’s Burning Legion rose and the Titans fell, Azerath’s peoples and conflicts began taking shape, setting the stage for the War of the Ancients.

• Sargeras discovered that Void Creatures could corrupt Star Souls, destroyed one, and became convinced that the universe could only be saved through destruction.
• Sargeras tore open Maldraxxus, gained Fel power, formed the Burning Legion, and defeated Argus and the Pantheon in a devastating war.
• Artoria questioned Allen about his refusal to intervene, and Allen revealed that he wanted Sky City’s residents to enter Azerath as Game Characters and change its history within limits.
• Sargeras learned from Aman'Thul about Azerath’s powerful Star Soul and ordered the Burning Legion to search for the planet.
• The Old Gods unleashed the Flesh-eating Curse on Titan creations, while a Troll tribe evolved into Night Elves and Nature-born Primal Demigods appeared across Azerath.