Chapter Summaries

After Megatron fled, Hobbs questioned Merlin about the Virus Serum and then led a convoy through the besieged streets toward Osborn Tower. The group reached the last block before the tower, where Lizardmen gathered to attack as time ran short before a possible military bombardment.

• Frenzy died, and Blackout and the other Decepticons abandoned Megatron; Megatron escaped after threatening Optimus Prime.
• Hobbs questioned Merlin about the Serum, and Merlin explained that Gwen had asked him for help after Professor Connors was exposed as the Lizardman.
• Stark learned that Spider-Man was fighting Connors and Peter atop Osborn Industrial Building, so Hobbs led the group toward the tower.
• Hobbs drove Spike Phantom at the front of a convoy that cleared rubble and enemies while Merlin traveled protected in the middle.
• As the convoy reached the block near Osborn Tower, a female Lizardman spotted Merlin and called more Lizardmen to attack.
• Hobbs warned the group to break through quickly so they could escort Merlin into Osborn Tower and make the Serum before the military resorted to bombardment.

Merlin’s convoy fought through the Lizardmen and Chaos Spawns toward Osborn Tower, joined by the eccentric Deadpool and his Transformer, Bubblegum. Hawkeye arrived as the convoy neared its destination.

• Optimus Prime, Stark, John, Duke, Matt, and the players fought off the Lizardmen and Chaos Spawns while Hobbs drove the convoy toward Osborn Tower.
• Wade Wilson, a player also known as Deadpool, arrived in a pink Superburn Transformer and tried to greet Merlin.
• Deadpool introduced his Transformer as Bubblegum, which angrily cut him in half for using the name; Deadpool regenerated and continued joking.
• Hawkeye, Clinton, shot an explosive arrow into a Lizardman, and Natasha recognized him as her old friend.

Merlin and the convoy reached Osborn Tower amid the battle between players, Lizardmen, and Mechanical Chaos Spawn. The team broke through the defenses and secured the entrance so Merlin could get inside and produce the Serum.

• Hawkeye and Deadpool joined the team as Hobbs led them through Times Square toward the Osborn Industrial Building.
• The team arrived at the tower and saw players battling Lizardmen and Mechanical Chaos Spawn, including a massive transformer and the Khan Tank.
• Merlin's arrival was announced across the battlefield, drawing attention from players and enemies alike.
• Hobbs and the team launched a coordinated charge, with players holding back the surrounding enemies as the convoy advanced.
• Hobbs reached the tower entrance, where the Spike Phantom transformed to guard the doorway while the convoy and Optimus Prime's group prepared to defend it.

Merlin’s group fought their way up the ruined building to the thirty-sixth floor, where they reached the laboratory. As Lizardmen flooded the corridor behind them, Punisher told the others to go inside while his team held them back.

• Deadpool complained that he was the only one without a companion as the group climbed the concealed fire escape.
• A female Lizardman burst into the stairwell, and Journey of the Saint shot her before more Lizardmen attacked from the outer walls.
• Stark, Hawkeye, and Merlin stopped three Lizardmen from ambushing the group, with Merlin knocking one down the stairwell using his Electromagnetic Pulse rifle.
• At the thirty-sixth floor, Stark blinded the Lizardmen with a flashbang while Journey of the Saint, Punisher, and John cleared the corridor under cover from the others.
• The group reached the laboratory as wounded Lizardmen regenerated and more poured into the corridor, and Punisher ordered the others inside while he and his team stayed behind.

Merlin and Arcee defeated Dr. Lizard in the laboratory, and Merlin began making the Serum while the others fought to reach the tower. Gwen climbed toward the Canary Device as Peter and the Lizardmen tried to stop her, and Merlin appeared just as she reached the top.

• Merlin and Arcee entered the laboratory, where Dr. Lizard ambushed them and Merlin killed him with a Laser Energy Pulse from his Heartguard Mirror.
• Merlin activated the laboratory equipment to make the Serum while Arcee fought off Lizardmen entering through the broken windows.
• Gwen, Matt, and the players broke through the weakened defenses around the tower, where Peter led the remaining Lizardmen.
• Gwen tried to persuade Peter to stop the Reptile Plan, but Peter refused and attacked when she headed for the tower.
• Daredevil and the players held off Peter and the Lizardmen while Gwen climbed the shaking tower toward the Canary Device.
• Gwen reached the Canary Device, and Merlin appeared and greeted her.

Gwen launched Merlin’s Serum from the Canary Device, curing the Lizardmen across Manhattan and completing the district mission, though some people retained green lizard-like skin and traits. Merlin then assigned teams to release Serum at five other towers while he stayed with the AllSpark.

• Merlin threw Gwen the blue Serum as the tower shook, and Gwen loaded it into the Canary Device and launched it into the clouds.
• Blue rain spread across Manhattan, reversing the Lizardmen’s transformations and restoring their human minds, though some retained green skin and lizard-like traits.
• The players continued hunting the Chaos Spawn, and a mission notification declared that humanity had won in Manhattan District.
• The tower collapsed, and Merlin explained to Gwen that the Serum could destroy the lizard regeneration gene but not mutations that had altered human genes.
• Merlin assigned Punisher, Natasha, Gwen, John, and Stark to carry Serum to the remaining towers, with their companions and Autobots joining the missions.
• Merlin told the teams to wear their headsets and said he would return to his old line of work.

Merlin and the teams used his surveillance callouts to secure the towers and spread Serum across Apple City, winning the game as dawn broke. As the group celebrated, military aircraft arrived, and one Osprey suddenly rushed toward Merlin.

• Optimus Prime told Arcee he wanted to stay on Earth because Cybertron could no longer be healed and they needed a new home.
• Merlin coordinated the teams as they fought Lizardmen and retrieved Serum from the towers, including Deadpool, who had hidden a vial beneath his mosaic.
• The teams completed their missions, and blue fireworks marked the Serum spreading across Apple City as the game announced a Human Camp victory.
• Merlin and the others watched the sunrise and celebrated, while Hobbs fired a signal flare to show the crisis had ended.
• F22 fighters and V22 Ospreys swept over Apple City, and one Osprey broke formation and rushed toward Merlin.

Megatron stole the AllSpark after attacking Merlin and Optimus Prime, and Merlin later woke from his injuries to learn that a global system update had unlocked all game technologies and Detroit: Become Human. He began planning new player skills before Gwen and the Stacy family visited him, and the chapter ended with Stark announcing, "I am Iron Man!"

• Megatron attacked Optimus Prime and Merlin, took the AllSpark, and escaped as Arcee tried to stop him.
• The military arrived in Apple City, detained people who had evolved, and began managing the aftermath of the game.
• Habashi hunted Chaos Spawns for game currency before the soldiers arrived and ended his mission.
• Merlin woke in the hospital and saw the system announce that all game technologies were unlocked and Detroit: Become Human was available.
• Merlin considered adding skill panels and professions to the offline platform, then Gwen hugged him as George and Mrs. Stacy arrived.
• Stark appeared on the hospital television and declared, "I am Iron Man!"

After Tony Stark revealed that he was Iron Man, he defended Merlin Shaw from reporters and government agents while Merlin recovered in the hospital. Meanwhile, Megatron escaped into the New Mexico desert and touched the AllSpark, which sent a surge of energy spreading through his fingers like a virus.

• Tony Stark revealed himself as Iron Man and told reporters that Merlin was recovering in the hospital.
• Stark blamed himself for triggering the Chaos Spawn and rebuked reporters who speculated maliciously about Merlin.
• Merlin woke in the hospital, discussed his injuries with Gwen, and considered developing Transformers armor using Cybertronian Bio-Metal technology.
• Fury and Agent Simmons entered Merlin's room to question him about the Energon Cube, but Pepper had them escorted out.
• Megatron reached an uninhabited area in the New Mexico desert and touched the AllSpark, which released an energy surge across his hand.

Megatron was infected by the Red Data Virus, which fused with the AllSpark and gave him a mission to find the Leader Module and awaken Fallen. Meanwhile, Merlin began adapting Detroit: Become Human into Morality and Rule of Law and answered Simmons’s questions about the Cybertronians, agreeing to contact Optimus Prime after recovering.

• Megatron was infected by the Red Data Virus, which spread across half his body and fused with the AllSpark.
• The virus displayed a mission for Megatron to find the Leader Module and awaken Fallen, then fell silent as he struggled to control his body.
• George returned to work managing the aftermath of the incident, with authorities capturing Greenies while temporarily setting aside the players.
• Merlin began integrating Detroit: Become Human into Morality and Rule of Law while recovering in the hospital.
• Simmons visited Merlin and asked about the AllSpark, Megatron, and the Autobots, and Merlin agreed to try contacting Optimus Prime after he recovered.

After recovering from his injuries, Merlin gathered new Android technologies and discovered a Xenomorph and a Predator in Los Angeles, prompting him to plan a Gundam-sized Arcee with man-machine integration. Coulson invited him to join the Avengers Alliance, but Merlin declined for now, while news of a mysterious hammer in New Mexico hinted at another extraterrestrial incident.

• Calvo streamed Connor’s rooftop confrontation with Daniel, and a hidden sniper killed Daniel after he released the hostage.
• Merlin’s new game earned fifty million Reputation Points, granting him Android-related technologies and five Intelligence points.
• Merlin accepted Justin Hammer’s invitation to the Monaco Grand Prix, then told Little Mute to investigate a Xenomorph and a Predator seen fighting in Los Angeles.
• Merlin began designing an enlarged Gundam form for Arcee and returned to his shop, where he found Optimus Prime and the others recovering.
• Coulson invited Merlin to join the Avengers Alliance, but Merlin declined and said he preferred to focus on research with Hammer Industries.
• Coulson left after receiving an urgent call about a mysterious meteorite and hammer discovered in New Mexico.

Merlin tested his Cow Cat armor and swordsmanship chip before teaming up with Blade to capture six Pureblood Vampires. He sent the unconscious captives to Los Angeles, where Xenomorphs attached Facehuggers to them, while Deadpool was also dragged into the Alien Nest.

• Merlin finished Cow Cat's armor and tested its swordsmanship chip and Mechanical Longsword.
• Merlin found Blade through Little Mute and went with him to investigate Vampires selling Greenies at an underground bar.
• Blade fought the Vampires while Merlin captured six Pureblood Vampires for the platform.
• Merlin implanted Control Chips in the captives, and Deadpool accepted a mysterious transport mission to Los Angeles.
• Deadpool dropped the six Vampires near the Alien Nest, then fell from the helicopter and was dragged into a cave by a Worker Alien.
• The Xenomorph Queen's Alien Eggs opened, and Facehuggers attached themselves to the six unconscious Vampires.

Deadpool fought through a Xenomorph nest while Merlin used the Control Chip to direct six Vampire embryos out of the tunnel and into an aerial pickup. At the New Mexico meteor site, Coulson investigated the captured Vampires and Facehuggers before Merlin arrived in armor, ready to join him.

• Merlin activated the Control Chip, and Deadpool battled the Xenomorphs, taunting them before charging toward their Queen.
• Six Vampires carrying Facehuggers walked out of the tunnel and were hauled up by Hook Locks from an Attack Helicopter as a Crawler Alien watched.
• Coulson and the agents investigated the meteor crater in Wonderland Town and examined six regenerative Vampires with Facehuggers attached to their faces.
• Merlin called Coulson about a mission involving Xenomorphs at the New Mexico satellite crash site, and Coulson told him he was already at the base.
• Merlin arrived at the base entrance in Black-and-White Sci-Fi Armor, which he transformed into a backpack before riding his Mechanical Longsword like a Flying Skateboard.

Merlin told Coulson about Green Goblin’s Xenomorph capture mission, but Thor broke into the base to reach Mjolnir as the six Vampires gave birth to Xenomorphs. Cal, a Predator who had infiltrated the base, challenged Thor to a duel, and they began fighting in the rain.

• Merlin explained the Xenomorph mission posted by Green Goblin and told Coulson that two other players had accepted it.
• A long-haired intruder identified as Thor fought through the base toward Mjolnir, and Coulson ordered his agents to capture him alive.
• The six Vampires’ chests burst open as Xenomorph creatures emerged and began to develop.
• Thor reached Mjolnir but stopped when Cal appeared and challenged him to a duel.
• Thor picked up the blade Cal tossed to him, and their weapons clashed as Hawkeye watched from above.

Merlin failed to lift Mjolnir while Thor and Cal fought, but a Vampire-enhanced Xenomorph attacked the base and proved able to regenerate even after being blasted and decapitated. Cal and Thor battled the creature, and Cal discovered that its healing slowed as it accumulated injuries.

• Thor and Cal fought fiercely in the rain while Merlin followed Coulson to Mjolnir and unsuccessfully tried to lift it.
• Coulson ordered Hawkeye to stop the fighters, but a Xenomorph attacked Hawkeye and the base erupted into chaos.
• Cal blasted the Xenomorph with her Plasma Cannon, but it recovered and charged at her despite her turning invisible.
• The Xenomorph pinned Cal until Thor severed its head, but the creature reattached it while its acidic blood burned Thor.
• Cal took Thor's blade and fought the Xenomorph again, noticing that its regeneration slowed as it suffered more injuries.

Thor tried to retrieve Mjolnir but could not lift it, and a Vampire Alien seriously injured him before Merlin intervened. Coulson discovered that the Xenomorphs had hatched from Vampires and drove them away with ultraviolet light, but someone at the base was infected with the Vampire Virus.

• Coulson and Sitwell watched footage showing six Xenomorphs hatch from Vampire hosts, drain their blood, and attack the laboratory staff.
• Thor reached Mjolnir but could not move it, then a Xenomorph bit his shoulder and badly wounded him.
• Merlin arrived, killed the Xenomorph attacking Thor, and told Coulson the creatures inherited traits from their hosts.
• Coulson ordered the agents to use ultraviolet equipment and silver against the Vampire Aliens, and the light burned them.
• The agents killed one Xenomorph, while the others fled into the night, and someone reported that a person had been infected with the Vampire Virus.

After the Xenomorph battle, some bitten S.H.I.E.L.D. agents transformed into Vampire-1 Infected, and the survivors fought to contain them. With the base cleared, Coulson organized a pursuit of the five remaining Xenomorphs toward Wonderland Town, leaving Jane and Thor behind.

• Bitten agents transformed into agile, bloodthirsty Xenomorph Vampire-1 Infected, and Merlin watched as S.H.I.E.L.D. agents fought them.
• Merlin saved an agent from an Infected, explained its weaknesses, and told the agents to restrain survivors for their superiors to handle.
• Hawkeye and an agent killed the last Infected in the base, then Hawkeye learned from Agent Coulson that none remained.
• Merlin found Thor injured but uninfected, and Coulson ordered the Infected locked up while prioritizing the search for the remaining five Xenomorphs.
• Coulson sent Hawkeye, Merlin, and a team after the Xenomorphs, while Jane was told she and Thor had to remain at the base.

Merlin retrieved the AllSpark from Megatron and tested how a Vampire Alien Xenomorph died in sunlight. In Wonderland Town, Thor regained his power and fought the Xenomorphs while Merlin intervened to protect Sif and her companions from Destroyer.

• Merlin removed the AllSpark from Megatron's hand and told him to awaken Fallen, find The Allspark Fragment, and activate the Stellar Harvester if he wanted to save Cybertron.
• Merlin watched a Vampire Alien Xenomorph burn to ash in sunlight after it tried to dig a hole to escape.
• Thor regained his godly power and Mjolnir, then smashed the Xenomorphs attacking Jane, Erik, and the Deputy, driving them into the sunlight where they burned away.
• Destroyer attacked Sif, Volstagg, Fandral, and Hogun as they searched for Thor, but Merlin's Mechanical Longsword split its atomic Energy Beam and saved Sif and Volstagg.
• Merlin fought Destroyer with his Mechanical Longsword, deflected its beam, and gathered Electromagnetic Energy for another attack.

Merlin defeated the Destroyer, salvaged its Uru Metal, and helped S.H.I.E.L.D. stabilize Dr. Erik after he was gravely wounded. Thor returned to Asgard with Jane, while Coulson failed to claim a share of the Destroyer and S.H.I.E.L.D. decided against challenging Merlin over it.

• Merlin pierced the Destroyer's neck with his Adamantium blade, then used the Melt Sword to sever its head and defeat it.
• Merlin gathered Uru Metal from the Destroyer's body while Fandral, Sif, and Coulson watched.
• Thor learned that Odin had fallen asleep and Loki was threatening Asgard, while Merlin arranged emergency support for Dr. Erik's brain activity.
• Thor thanked Merlin, declared him a friend of Asgard, and left with Jane and Sif to return to Asgard.
• Coulson asked Merlin for a share of the Destroyer's metal, but Merlin refused and described his plans to turn it into weapons.
• Coulson abandoned S.H.I.E.L.D.'s idea of forcibly taking the metal because Merlin's powerful connections made the risk too great.

Merlin added a Vampire Alien profile to Little Mute’s platform and discussed Spider-Man’s invitation to see a movie with Gwen. He revealed that he planned to work on Baymax medical robots and Androids, leaving their movie plans for after his trip to Monaco.

• Merlin wrote a detailed profile for the Vampire Alien and began work on a file about the Undying Xenomorph.
• Gwen visited Merlin, asked why he had been away, and explained that she had been patrolling Apple City as Spider-Man amid growing unrest.
• Gwen told Merlin that Spider-Man wanted to invite him to a movie to thank him for helping resolve Apple City’s crisis.
• Merlin accepted the invitation but said he would be in Monaco next week and expected to be busy with work for much of the first half of the next year.
• Merlin showed Gwen a Baymax design and told her he planned to develop medical robots and Androids.