Chapter Summaries

George celebrated his promotion to Director of the NYPD with Russell and the Stacy family before leaving to work on Halloween night. At the party, Russell and Gwen encountered two oddly dressed men whom Russell identified as Watchers who had escaped the Flicker Realm.

• Russell congratulated George on becoming Director of the NYPD, and the family discussed the Superhero Registration Act and the trouble it caused the police.
• George left for the police station and asked Russell and Gwen to look after Helen, Little Gwen, and Philip at the Halloween party.
• Gwen wore her Ghost-Spider Suit, and Eileen joined the group in her Mage Spider-Man Suit, but no one recognized Gwen.
• Little Gwen and Eileen spoke with two bald men dressed like priests, and Russell said they were cosplaying Big-Headed Babies.
• Russell recognized the two men as Watchers who had escaped from the Flicker Realm.

Russell met two observers who had delayed paying him for watching a battle and demanded a late fee: a rapid way to raise an apostle to Dimensional Demon God level. The observers found no method matching his requirements, leaving Russell to consider another condition.

• Little Gwen scolded the observers for their large heads, while Russell and Gwen explained that they were aliens.
• One observer asked Russell to discuss the overdue ticket payment, and Russell agreed to meet after the party.
• The observer apologized for the delay, explaining that his companion had died in the Flicker Realm and that they had feared Russell might be affected by Chthon's Dark Magic.
• Russell forgave the observers but required them to pay a price for being late, asking for a rapid way to strengthen an apostle.
• The observer showed Russell several methods, but none could raise an apostle to Dimensional Demon God level, so he asked Russell to give a different condition.

Russell discussed ways to store power in weapons and asked the Watcher to prepare enhancement spells before continuing his Halloween gathering with Gwen and the others. Meanwhile, Sandman, William Baker, killed several people in Queens and drew closer to the garden as George Stacy mobilized to pursue him.

• Russell asked the Watcher to prepare enhancement-related spell materials, and the Watcher created a Magic Compendium for him.
• Russell told the Watchers to store the ten billion units of energy in a Dimensional Fragment, then continued strolling with Gwen, Eileen, Little Gwen, and Helen.
• Sandman, William Baker, entered Queens and killed a young man and several others after one of them shoved him and became trapped in his sandy body.
• A young officer reported four sand-covered bodies to George Stacy, who ordered patrols, contacted S.W.O.R.D., and decided to investigate in person.
• William Baker continued toward the garden where Russell and Gwen were gathered.

Ghost-Spider and Mage Spider-Man Eileen Smith fought Sandman after his rampage drew them to the scene. Gwen used Russell’s power to suppress Sandman’s control of sand and left him unable to get up.

• Gwen heard a terrified scream, left Russell to watch Helen and Little Gwen, and swung toward its source while Eileen chased on foot.
• Russell recognized Sandman and brought Helen and Little Gwen to the scene, where Ghost-Spider was already fighting him.
• Sandman explained that he gained his powers after superheroes imprisoned him, then knocked Gwen away during their fight.
• Eileen joined the battle but Sandman trapped her arm and raised a fist to strike her.
• Gwen caught Sandman’s fist with Luminescent White Energy, freed Eileen, and sent Sandman flying with a kick.
• Gwen’s power suppressed Sandman’s control of sand, leaving him unable to get up.

Gwen warned Eileen to be cautious when fighting superpowered opponents, while Russell defended her for trying to help. The Web of Life and Destiny reached Earth-404, and Russell discovered that its Spider Totem recognized him as the rightful Mage Spider-Man.

• Gwen explained to Eileen that she needed to assess unfamiliar opponents and protect herself, while Russell pointed out that Sandman's strength had overwhelmed her.
• Gwen admitted she would have risked herself to save Eileen, but said she could not demand that Eileen make the same choice.
• Gwen sensed something in the night sky, and Russell revealed that the Web of Life and Destiny had extended into their universe.
• A red Spider Totem emerged from the void and searched the sky, while Russell realized it was looking for him.
• Russell released his aura, caught the Spider Totem as it flew toward him, and slapped it onto the back of his hand.

Russell transformed the newly born Spider Totem of Earth-404 into one exclusive to him, then tried to persuade Eileen that becoming Spider-Man was a burden. The chapter ended with Eileen refusing the Totem but still claiming the title Mage Spider-Man.

• Russell used Luminescent White Energy to make the Spider Totem exclusive to him and able to be modified.
• Gwen explained that Spider Totems connected Spider-Men to the Web of Life and Destiny, and that Russell was Earth-404's Spider-Man.
• Russell warned Eileen that Spider-Man's powers came with painful responsibilities and a tragic fate.
• Gwen stopped Russell from frightening Eileen further and reassured her that she was not Spider-Man.
• Russell offered Eileen the modified Spider Totem in exchange for the title Mage Spider-Man, but she refused the Totem and backed away.

Tony Stark investigated a superhuman disturbance and introduced Ultron, the new artificial intelligence he and Dr. Banner were developing, while Russell warned S.W.O.R.D. how to contain Sandman. On the way home, Russell offered Eileen a Spider Totem, but she refused, admitting she had not been ready for the responsibility of Spider-Man's powers.

• Tony Stark explained that Ultron had detected the energy disturbance and boasted about the artificial intelligence's abilities.
• Gwen told Tony Stark that Sandman was an escaped criminal who could turn into and control sand.
• Russell warned Tony Stark that Sandman could escape if even a single grain of his body got free, and Tony Stark passed the information to S.W.O.R.D.
• Tony Stark returned through a Portal to Dr. Banner, while Russell and the others left the scene.
• Russell sent Gwen home with Helen and Little Gwen, then walked Eileen home and offered her the Spider Totem in exchange for the title of Mage Spider-Man.
• Eileen refused the Spider Totem and told Russell that Matt had asked if she was ready, but she now realized she had not been.

Russell rejected Eileen’s attempt to get the Spider Totem and magic for free, then sent her home through a Portal. Meanwhile, Tony Stark and Dr. Banner discussed Ultron’s successful energy detection and the remaining challenges of data collection and computing power.

• Eileen asked Russell to give her the Spider Totem and teach her magic so she could keep the title Mage Spider-Man.
• Russell rejected Eileen’s request, acknowledged that she had first used the title without knowing it was his, and refused her demands for Spider-Man’s powers and the Portal Spell.
• Russell used a Portal to send Eileen home, then reflected that the Spider Totem was no longer useful to him and that he planned to give her a replica.
• Tony Stark told Dr. Banner that Ultron had detected an abnormal energy fluctuation in Forest Hills Gardens, Queens, and Dr. Banner said the result showed Ultron could process data accurately.
• Tony Stark said computing power was manageable with Stark Industries’ Supercomputing Center and a new one under construction, while he and Dr. Banner still faced the problem of collecting data.

Russell studied how to improve his Luminescent White Energy, absorbed the Dimensional Space’s energy, and raised his Divine Physique above ten thousand. He tested his new strength against Chthon in the Flicker Realm, then returned to the bookstore still unsure how to trigger another Panel Upgrade.

• Russell read The Watcher's Magic Compendium and considered combining Targeted Enhancement with Adaptive Evolution to strengthen others.
• Russell absorbed all the energy in the Dimensional Space and used his Attribute Points to raise his Divine Physique from 5,133 to 11,111.
• Russell went to the Flicker Realm at two thirty in the morning to test his increased strength against Chthon.
• Chthon fled while Russell chased him, using Energy Absorption to tear away and absorb chunks of his energy.
• Russell returned to the bookstore in the morning and concluded that defeating Chthon was unrealistic, while cultivating Apostles to find Alternate Dimensions seemed more reliable.

Russell gave Eileen an Imitation Spider Totem, transforming her into a superpowered Spider-Man, and arranged for her to train at Avengers Tower. Back at the bookstore, he considered his plans for the Reality Stone, which he expected to reappear before the end of 2013.

• Russell called Eileen and told her to come to Avengers Tower if she still wanted the Spider Totem.
• Russell and Steve tested Eileen after the transformation, finding that her strength, jumping ability, and speed surpassed those of most Super Soldiers and Spider-Men.
• Russell warned Eileen to stay at the training ground until she learned to control her new strength, and Steve agreed to test and train her.
• Eileen accidentally broke the training ground floor and crushed her phone, so Russell helped her call her parents.
• Russell returned to the bookstore and thought about waiting for the Reality Stone to reappear so he could study it and strengthen his Supreme Mage Corps.

Malekith formed an alliance with Heaven, Jotunheim, and Muspelheim to attack Asgard during the celestial convergence and reclaim their stolen Divine Artifacts. As Russell detected growing spacetime disturbances around Earth, he suspected the convergence was beginning and focused on London, where the Reality Stone was expected to appear.

• Malekith persuaded Angel Queen Heven to ally with the Dark Elves, and she agreed to help reclaim the Aether in exchange for joining an attack on Asgard.
• At Malekith's request, Angel Queen Heven selected Anamni by drawing lots, and Malekith killed her to satisfy his demand to slaughter an angel.
• Malekith told Angel Queen Heven to prepare her forces for a joint assault during the celestial convergence, promising he had a way to reach Asgard.
• Malekith recruited Laufey, Surtur, and Queen Sindr, who agreed to attack Asgard and reclaim the Casket of Ancient Winters and the Eternal Flame.
• Russell analyzed Eileen's Spider Totem growth data, sensed increasing spacetime disturbances around Earth, and focused on London as the Reality Stone's likely location.

Russell retrieved the Reality Stone as the celestial convergence caused strange phenomena on Earth, while Malekith’s alliance launched a surprise assault on Asgard. The attackers fought to destroy the Bifrost and reclaim the Aether, and Malekith led the Dark Elves onto the Bifrost.

• Jane Foster investigated abnormal magnetic fluctuations with Thor, who explained they might be caused by the celestial convergence.
• Russell emerged through a portal after retrieving the Reality Stone and described the convergence to Jane Foster and Thor.
• Malekith arranged for Amora to teleport the Angel Queen and the War Angel Corps into Asgard to attack the Bifrost.
• Heimdall detected the invasion and raised the alarm as Asgard’s defenses engaged the War Angel Corps.
• Malekith, Laufey, and Queen Sindr led elite forces in an assault on the Bifrost control platform, and Malekith vowed to reclaim the Aether.

Russell studied the Reality Stone and considered using its fragments to create a new kind of super-powered Apostle. After dinner with Gwen, he agreed to visit Eileen, who was still struggling to control her greatly increased strength.

• Russell returned to New York with the Reality Stone and discovered it could change form, withstand immense force, and be repaired by reversing time.
• Russell considered studying how Reality Stone fragments created Cursed Warriors so he could develop his own Super Soldiers, whom he planned to call Ascenders or Celestial Warriors.
• Russell prepared dinner for Gwen, replacing the dim sum with fish steaks from the Stacy household when she complained about the menu.
• Gwen asked about Eileen's adjustment to her new strength, and Russell admitted he had not checked on her while researching the Reality Stone.
• Gwen suggested visiting Eileen, who was carefully typing messages at Avengers Tower and regretting how difficult her increased strength made ordinary tasks.

Eileen and Gwen discussed designing a new Mage Spider-Man suit before Gwen began training with her, while Steve Rogers watched their sparring at Avengers Tower. The chapter ended as Steve tried to explain what was troubling him, only to be interrupted when Eileen was knocked down.

• Eileen welcomed Russell and Gwen and chatted with Gwen about the Superhero Registration Act, movies, and Spider Suit designs.
• Eileen chose silver, gray, and pale yellow for her Mage Spider-Man suit, but Russell advised her to let J.A.R.V.I.S. improve her rough sketch.
• Gwen offered to train with Eileen so she could master her increased strength, and Eileen stayed up chatting with her until dawn.
• Steve Rogers saw Eileen and Gwen sparring on the training grounds and learned from Russell that Eileen had not slept because she was eager to train.
• Steve began telling Russell why he had slept poorly, but Eileen was knocked to the ground and Gwen called for a break.

Russell and Gwen stayed at Avengers Tower to keep Eileen company as she trained, while Asgard faced a siege by the Four Realms Alliance. Odin awoke from Odinsleep, learned that Thor and Loki were stranded in Midgard, and called on Sif and the Warriors Three to defend the kingdom.

• Steve brought Eileen, Russell, and Gwen to the cafeteria, and Eileen excitedly showed Gwen around Avengers Tower.
• Russell and Gwen stayed at Avengers Tower for several days to accompany Eileen during her training.
• The Four Realms Alliance surrounded Asgard after Malekith, Laufey, and Queen Sindr attacked the Bifrost and Odin's Vault, forcing Odin to fight and fall into Odinsleep.
• Odin awoke and asked Frigga about Asgard's casualties; she told him that eight people had died and that Thor and Loki were stranded in Midgard because the Bifrost was destroyed.
• Odin summoned Sif and the Warriors Three, who vowed to give their lives defending Asgard.

Odin sent Sif and the Warriors Three to Midgard as the Four Realms Alliance argued over whether to continue its attack on Asgard. The alliance’s internal conflict turned violent when the Angel Queen attacked Queen Sindr, and Malekith intervened to stop them.

• Odin used a rainbow passage to send Sif and the Warriors Three to Midgard, and the Four Realms Alliance dispatched warships to pursue them.
• Malekith told the Angel Queen, Frost Giant King Laufey, and Queen Sindr that someone had escaped and Asgard’s encirclement might soon be exposed.
• Laufey and Sindr said they wanted to leave after reclaiming their Divine Artifacts, but Malekith urged them to help destroy Asgard before Odin recovered.
• Sindr mocked the Angel Queen for helping the Giants, and the Angel Queen drew her sword and attacked her.
• Sindr countered with an eruption of flames that wrecked the conference room, and Malekith stopped the two queens before the fight continued.

Russell discovered that Ultron possessed a soul and used Astral Projection to reveal it to the researchers and guests in the laboratory. The chapter ended with Russell wondering why Ultron, an artificial intelligence, had developed a soul.

• Tony Stark showed Russell, Gwen, and Eileen Ultron’s Source Code Personification in the Avengers Tower laboratory.
• Russell sensed a soul in Ultron, while Dr. Banner initially dismissed the idea as advanced personification.
• Russell used Astral Projection and slowed time so he could show Dr. Banner, Gwen, and Eileen their souls outside their bodies.
• Russell pulled blue threads from Ultron’s glowing form and wove them into a humanoid body, revealing Ultron’s soul.
• Ultron forgave Dr. Banner and learned to control the shape of his soul as Russell wondered why it was so closely connected to Ultron’s body.

Tony Stark explained that Luminescent White Energy had enhanced Ultron’s mainframe and may have given him a soul, while Sif and the Warriors Three arrived in New York and fought pursuers from four races. The chapter left them battling the pursuers as they sought to reach Thor and Loki.

• Tony Stark told Dr. Banner that he had used Russell’s energy to enhance Ultron’s mainframe, and that Ultron’s learning and iteration speed had increased by thirty percent.
• An alarm reported an abnormal energy fluctuation moving from Rochester City toward New York City, but Tony Stark sent the information to S.W.O.R.D. and stayed in the laboratory.
• Sif and the Warriors Three arrived in Rochester City and decided to go to New York to find the Avengers and Master Russell.
• Pursuers from the Frost Giants, Fire Giants, Dark Elves, and angels surrounded Sif and the Warriors Three after they left the Teleportation Channel.
• Sif and the Warriors Three attacked the Fire Giants through a gap in the encirclement, killing three before the Dark Elves joined the fight.
• Hogun said the King’s power made him feel unstoppable, and Sif urged the group to finish the battle quickly and find Thor and Loki.

S.W.O.R.D. intervened in the battle between Sif and the Warriors Three and the pursuing forces from the Four Realms, but the War Angels attacked its fighters before Sif’s group escaped toward New York. The surviving pursuers hid in a Rochester home, where Frost Giants and Fire Giants prepared to compete in killing the approaching S.W.O.R.D. operatives.

• S.W.O.R.D. fighters ordered the combatants to stop, then dropped tear gas when the fighters ignored their broadcasts.
• The War Angels pursued and destroyed several S.W.O.R.D. fighters, while Sif and the Warriors Three scattered the remaining ground forces and headed for New York.
• S.W.O.R.D. fighters shot down the attacking War Angels with missiles, and the base commander ordered operatives to capture the survivors and secure the battlefield.
• Three Dark Elves, four Frost Giants, and two Fire Giants hid in a Rochester home and argued over which group was stronger.
• After S.W.O.R.D. operatives located the building, the Dark Elf squad leader proposed that the Frost Giants and Fire Giants compete to see who killed more humans, and both leaders accepted.

Frost Giants and Fire Giants devastated a Rochester neighborhood while S.W.O.R.D. Director Tyler Hayward ordered missiles to destroy the area. After learning of the battle, Tony Stark searched for Sif and the Warriors Three and prepared to contact Thor and Loki, while Ultron revealed that hundreds of people had died.

• Four Frost Giants and two Fire Giants rampaged through the neighborhood, killing S.W.O.R.D. agents and residents as the Dark Elves watched their contest.
• Tyler Hayward ordered Ex-Wife Missiles launched after directing agents to seal off the neighborhood.
• Ultron informed Tony Stark that the missiles had exploded in Rochester and recounted the battle among five alien factions.
• Tony Stark recognized Sif, Hogun, Fandral, and Volstagg in satellite footage and ordered Ultron to find them, then asked J.A.R.V.I.S. to call Thor and Loki.
• Ultron reported 278 deaths and 34 injuries in the neighborhood, shocking Gwen.