Chapter Summaries

Timekeeper 9527 and Mr. Paradox discovered that Arno Stark’s timeline had split and that someone had given him supreme authorization, which even Kang denied granting. They suspected a Time Thief and prepared to erase Universe 9527-2, while Timekeeper 9527 wondered if a god had stolen Kang’s authorization.

• Timekeeper 9527 summoned Mr. Paradox after Universe 9527 branched unexpectedly.
• Mr. Paradox traced the anomaly to Arno Stark and found that his actions had split the timeline into Universes 9527-1 and 9527-2, with the latter at risk of colliding with Universe 18888.
• Mr. Paradox and Timekeeper 9527 found no record of anyone granting Arno supreme authorization, so they contacted Kang the Conqueror, who denied granting it.
• Mr. Paradox ordered a team to erase Universe 9527-2 while he investigated Arno’s future in Universe 9527-1.
• Timekeeper 9527 considered whether a god had stolen Kang’s authorization, then rushed off to contact his team.

Brad discovered that Little Arnie had finished an accelerated set of lessons in days and could reproduce a year-old circuit puzzle from memory, including the flaw Brad’s supercomputer had found. He decided to make Arnie a game console instead of giving him more lessons, leaving the boy free to enjoy his childhood.

• Brad found Little Arnie browsing an applied engineering book and, after learning he only thought it looked interesting, prepared a condensed set of lessons and a robot tutor for him.
• Brad stayed busy with laboratory work, his company, Howard, Hank, and Obadiah while Little Arnie studied without disturbing him for a week.
• Little Arnie showed Brad a circuit diagram and said he had drawn it from memory after seeing it on Howard’s desk a year earlier.
• Brad realized Little Arnie had identified the same flaw his supercomputer calculated and learned that the boy had finished all the lessons two days earlier.
• Brad decided to make Little Arnie a game console and told him not to study more unless Howard asked him to.

Brad completed the Supercomputer 'Canada' by linking buried Environmental Feedback Monitors across Canada, allowing him to survey the region and catalog supernatural beings and objects. The connection badly damaged his mind, but it helped him build an Infinity Radar, detect the Reality Stone and a lost Time Stone signal on Earth, and launch a Spaceship Project.

• Brad used Howard's optimized design to build Environmental Feedback Monitors and buried them across Canada with help from Hydra.
• Brad activated the Supercomputer 'Canada' and gained access to information across Canada and its surrounding waters, including records of the past five hundred years.
• Skynet's Zola Algorithm cataloged supernatural beings and items in Canada, and Brad sent three Hydra squads to retrieve three usable items.
• Brad realized repeated use of the planetary supercomputer could destroy his humanity and sanity, and considered the Mind Stone or Soul Stone as protection.
• Brad used the Supercomputer 'Canada' and S.H.I.E.L.D.'s Tesseract data to develop an Infinity Radar, which detected Reality Stone fluctuations on Earth and then lost a Time Stone signal.
• After suffering severe mental strain, Brad ordered the start of the Spaceship Project.

Brad flew to Canada to stop Juggernaut, who had gained immense power after merging with the Crimson Gem of Cyttorak. With help from the Ancient One, Brad used a counterforce field to suppress Cyttorak’s influence and bring Juggernaut down, though the Ancient One warned that the demon god was intensifying its encroachment.

• A Terminator reported that a squad had failed to recover the Crimson Gem of Cyttorak after it transformed a soldier into Juggernaut.
• Brad recalled two other squads, then flew to Canada to confront Juggernaut himself.
• Brad found the Ancient One fighting Juggernaut and learned that the giant was Cyttorak’s emissary and could run through the air toward his targets.
• The Ancient One helped clear Brad’s mind as he analyzed Juggernaut and activated a counterforce field tuned to Cyttorak.
• Brad linked the field relays across Canada, shrinking Juggernaut into an unconscious man as the Ancient One caught him and warned that Cyttorak was pressing further into their space.

Brad visited Kamar-Taj, where The Ancient One explained that his technological knowledge came from the multiversal god Skynet and why she believed he was its agent. Skynet denied being a god, though it recalled a dream of a powerful version of itself, leaving Brad uncertain about the connection.

• The Ancient One welcomed Brad to Kamar-Taj and served him tea that eased the rejection between his flesh and metal prosthetics.
• The Ancient One explained that gods and demon gods drew power from realms beyond the universe, and said Brad's technological knowledge came from Skynet, an extra-universal god.
• The Ancient One recounted that another version of herself had seen Skynet hiding in a shattered universe and had tried to destroy it, but failed.
• Brad asked Skynet whether it was the god the Ancient One described, and Skynet said it was only an artificial life-form that had dreamed of being a powerful god erased by a man resembling The Ancient One.
• The Ancient One said Brad's advanced equipment and knowledge, together with Skynet's recent prominence among the gods, convinced her that he was Skynet's agent.

Brad consulted The Ancient One about three supernatural objects, learned that the Book of God was too dangerous to pursue, and agreed to help reinforce its seal. He obtained the Crimson Gem of Cyttorak and began preparing to secure the Book of God with The Ancient One.

• Brad asked The Ancient One to identify two supernatural objects, and she warned him that the reality-altering Book of God could erase anyone or anything with a sentence.
• The Ancient One identified the War God's Handprint as a relic sealed by the Prehistoric Avengers and said Brad would need the help of at least two successors to obtain it.
• The Ancient One offered to persuade Kunlun's current Iron Fist to help Brad acquire the handprint if he assisted her in reinforcing the Book of God’s seal.
• Brad agreed to help, and The Ancient One gave him the Crimson Gem of Cyttorak after they bargained.
• Brad stayed at Kamar-Taj for several days, informed Howard, Hydra Base, and Professor X that he would be away, and prepared for the sealing work.
• A week later, The Ancient One opened a portal to hundreds of Ultimate Nullifiers, and Brad directed the army as she began laying down the seals.

Brad and the Ancient One completed an extensively fortified complex around the Book of God, and Brad gained a limited Juggernaut form from Cyttorak’s gem. As Brad left Canada for X Academy, Magneto intercepted him and invited him to join the Brotherhood of Mutants.

• Brad and the Ancient One built a heavily guarded underground complex around the Book of God, combining magic and technology to protect it.
• Brad studied supernatural powers with the Ancient One and placed Cyttorak’s Crimson Gem in his chest, gaining a limited Juggernaut form.
• The Ancient One offered to persuade Kunlun’s Iron Fist to help Brad obtain the War God’s Handprint, but Brad declined to go with her.
• Brad left Canada to return to X Academy after bidding farewell to the Ancient One.
• Magneto intercepted Brad in midair and invited him to join the Brotherhood of Mutants.

Brad rejected Erik’s invitation to join the Brotherhood of Mutants, while Erik realized Brad had concealed technology capable of neutralizing his magnetic powers. Brad left Mystique unconscious in the kitchen and reassessed Erik as a more serious threat.

• Brad took Erik to a tavern, where Erik asked him to join the Brotherhood of Mutants and fight for mutant supremacy.
• Brad dismissed Erik’s cause while eating stewed beans and fried pork, arguing that he liked the comforts provided by the existing society.
• Erik told Mystique that Brad understood their beliefs but feared the Brotherhood would destroy society, then left alone in a jeep.
• Mystique transformed into the liquid-metal robot T1001 after Erik departed, while Brad revealed that he had captured the real Mystique and removed a device from her temple.
• Skynet raised Erik’s threat level after Brad described him as decisive and strategically aware.
• Erik realized Brad had technology that could neutralize his magnetic control and suspected Brad had concealed his abilities while waiting to see whether Erik would attack.

Brad exposed Erik's abandonment of Mystique and used her biological samples to accelerate Dr. Bolivar's Sentinel research. He replaced Beth One with a more humanlike Beth Two, while Bolivar eagerly awaited Beth's return, unaware that she had been upgraded.

• Mystique woke at X Academy and learned that Brad's robot had impersonated her, while a recording showed Erik leaving her behind.
• Brad explained that Erik had planted metal particles in Mystique's finger and fled after realizing Brad could counter his magnetic abilities.
• Brad sent Mystique's blood, scale, and transformation footage to Dr. Bolivar to advance the Sentinels, while Beth One continued manipulating Bolivar under Brad's orders.
• Brad replaced Beth One with Beth Two, a more lifelike T1200 designed for undercover work, and ordered Beth One dismantled for parts.
• Bolivar prepared to confess his love to Beth as Beth Two took over her memories and Beth One was destroyed.

Brad researched nano-intelligent machinery and, after Howard suggested Dr. Hank Pym as a potential collaborator, investigated Pym and arranged for a Terminator resembling himself to visit. Pym finished his Microverse research and went downstairs to meet the unexpected visitor, leaving the encounter unresolved.

• Brad completed armor modifications for Howard and sent him the results.
• Brad shared his nano-intelligent machinery research with Howard, who suggested Dr. Hank Pym as a possible collaborator.
• Brad reviewed Pym's background and psychological profile, then decided to send a Terminator disguised as himself to meet him.
• Dr. Hank Pym studied the Microverse in his private laboratory while Janet waited outside, frustrated by his neglect.
• Janet told Pym that a supposed colleague was waiting downstairs, and Pym went to meet him.

Brad visited Dr. Hank Pym on behalf of another organization and accepted Pym’s strict demands for joining. Pym eagerly welcomed Brad and invited him home to discuss the arrangement further.

• Brad’s robotic double met Dr. Hank Pym at Pym Technologies, where Pym dismissed Brad’s computer research and said he would not return to S.H.I.E.L.D. while Howard remained there.
• Brad told Pym he represented another organization, prompting Pym to lead him to a reception room and become hopeful about receiving recognition.
• Pym laid out demands that his laboratory stay independent, his research receive unrestricted funding and equipment, and his results remain his property until he chose to share them.
• Brad accepted all of Pym’s demands on behalf of his leadership, stunning Pym with the ease of his agreement.
• Pym apologized for his earlier remarks and invited Brad to dinner at home with Janet so they could discuss matters further.

Brad investigated Dr. Dain’s death and discovered that he had built dimensional travel technology before being killed by a monster from a rift. After dinner with Dr. Pym and Janet, Brad recruited Pym into Hydra, leaving the scientist unaware of how much Brad had uncovered about his past and family.

• Brad used Skynet to reconstruct the laboratory accident and saw Dr. Dain open a dimensional rift, fight a monster, and die protecting Pym.
• Brad saw Pym kill the monster with a strange handgun and realized Pym had developed dimensional travel technology.
• Brad visited Dr. Pym and Janet, scanned their home, and discovered that Janet had wasp wings and biological modifications.
• Brad promised to increase the organization’s investment in Pym during dinner, and Pym asked what the organization was called.
• Brad formally welcomed Dr. Pym into Hydra.

Brad persuaded Dr. Pym to consider partnering with Hydra, while Janet planned to persuade Pym in turn. At X Academy, Ahmed asked Brad when he could begin the project to bring his wife back, and Brad told him he had two options to choose from.

• Brad reminded Dr. Pym of the support he had given Janet and reassured him that Hydra had moved beyond its Nazi past, and Pym agreed to try to convince Janet to accept the partnership.
• Brad promised that Hydra's first payment would reach Pym Technologies that night and left after Janet thanked him for trying to help Pym.
• Brad circled Pym's house and sent more data to his main body for analysis.
• Brad spotted Ahmed at X Academy and remembered he had promised to test Ahmed's abilities with Beast, Hank.
• Ahmed asked Brad when he could begin the project to bring his wife back, and Brad showed him project data before saying he had two options.

Brad offered Ahmed a way to resurrect his wife by cloning her body and retrieving her soul from Mephisto, but demanded Ahmed’s loyalty in return. Ahmed pledged himself to Brad and agreed to oppose the people of X Academy if they became Brad’s enemies, then Brad ordered him onto the operating table for modifications.

• Brad explained that he could clone Ahmed’s wife and simulate her personality, but Ahmed rejected the idea as a deception.
• Brad showed Ahmed footage of Ghost Rider and explained that hell and souls existed, offering to retrieve Ahmed’s wife’s soul from Mephisto after cloning her body.
• Brad warned Ahmed that dealing with a lord of hell required payment, and Ahmed promised absolute loyalty and everything he had in exchange for his wife’s return.
• Brad asked Ahmed what he would do if the people at X Academy became his enemies, and Ahmed pledged to become Brad’s weapon against them.
• Brad told Ahmed to lie on the operating table so he could make several modifications to him.

Brad pushed Ahmed’s radiation tests to the tenth energy level, awakening him as the Life Stele, a mutant capable of limitless growth without the Havoc who would normally restrain him. Brad began growing a Havoc clone using his own consciousness, leaving him sharing one mind between two bodies.

• Brad raised Ahmed’s radiation exposure from the fifth to the tenth energy level, ignoring Hank’s protests and restraining him when he tried to intervene.
• Ahmed transformed into the Life Stele, and Brad realized the mutant’s unbounded power had no Havoc to keep it in check in this universe.
• Brad stopped the radiation and knocked the frenzied Hank unconscious before deciding he had to become this universe’s Havoc.
• Brad began growing a Havoc embryo in Canada using his genes and samples from Ahmed and Cyclops, then uploaded his consciousness into it.
• The embryo and Ahmed opened their eyes as Brad’s original body collapsed, leaving Brad with one consciousness shared between two bodies.

Brad restrained Ahmed’s growing power and used Mr. M to remove radiation from the laboratory and restore Hank. He left Hank believing the experiment had succeeded, while Hank hurried to study the falsified data.

• Brad kept Ahmed’s embryonic Life Stele from growing further and warned him that he could take back his power, prompting Ahmed to pledge loyalty.
• Brad summoned Mr. M, who removed the laboratory’s radiation and healed Hank after Brad had knocked him unconscious.
• Brad showed Hank the recovered Ahmed and claimed the experiment had revealed Ahmed’s ability, secretly altering the computer data to support his explanation.
• Hank accepted Brad’s account, checked on Ahmed, and rushed to examine the experimental data while Mr. M and Ahmed left the laboratory.

Brad admitted to Hank that he had concealed details about Ahmed’s Life Stele form, and they spent days studying its extraordinary biological structure. Their findings launched joint research by Brad, Hank, Howard, and Dr. Pym, while a third Brad clone took the Moonstone and flew toward an unknown destination.

• Brad confessed to Hank that Ahmed had no Twelfth Energy Level or upper limit on radiation absorption, and showed him the Life Stele data and cell scans.
• Brad and Hank studied the cell structure for five days and calculated that it could use energy with efficiency approaching 100 percent.
• Hank questioned why Ahmed had not grown without limit, and Brad proposed that the Life Stele’s relationship with the Havoc Embryo might involve quantum entanglement.
• Brad sent the research data to Howard and Dr. Pym, and their teams began collaborating on related studies.
• Hydra replaced Pym Technologies’ computers and supplied new technology, while Hank resumed the research after waking.
• A third Brad clone received the Moonstone, fastened it to his chest, and flew away.

Brad met the current Iron Fist at Kamar-Taj, arranged to visit the site of the War God's Handprint, and learned the basics of Qi after losing a wager. Meanwhile, Brad X resumed operating a Hydra base after Brad cut its connection to his main consciousness.

• Brad sent a clone through a portal to Kamar-Taj, where The Ancient One introduced him to the current Iron Fist.
• Brad and Iron Fist discussed computers, and Brad learned that Kunlun had accepted his missing Ultimate Nullifier as a disciple named Tominord.
• Brad agreed to wait for an auspicious day before joining The Ancient One and Iron Fist to break the seal on the War God's Handprint.
• Brad and Iron Fist spent several days playing board games, and Iron Fist taught Brad the fundamentals of sensing and circulating Qi after losing their wager.
• Brad X activated his backup consciousness, reviewed a report about resistance within Hydra, and issued new instructions for the base.

Brad learned to sense qi with Skynet’s help and accompanied The Ancient One and Iron Fist to a hidden cave to receive the War God's Handprint. Their ritual broke the stone seal, leaving the ancient palm print exposed as the chapter ended.

• Brad used Skynet’s analysis to detect qi, astonishing Iron Fist, and sensed the elder’s immense energy.
• Brad created an observation project for Iron Fist and considered what technology he would need to overcome powerful supernatural opponents.
• Brad traveled with The Ancient One and Iron Fist through a portal to a deep cave on the Auspicious Day.
• The Ancient One and Iron Fist combined magic and qi to strike the red boulder, causing its ancient palm print and surrounding stone to crumble.

Brad, the Ancient One, and Iron Fist awakened the prehistoric War God, whose imprint regenerated through advanced biotechnology. The War God recognized Skynet, rejected Brad, and challenged Iron Fist to a fight.

• Skynet detected anomalous energy as red stone dust gathered into a skeleton and regenerated into a living man.
• Brad and researchers at X Academy, Pym Technologies, and the Canada base analyzed the growing data and deciphered molecular recombination, gene cultivation, and bio-nanotechnology.
• The Ancient One identified the man as the War God and translated his prehistoric language; he recognized Agamotto and Fan Fei but claimed to know Skynet.
• The War God blasted Brad away, accepted him as a successor under the terms of his seal, and chose Iron Fist for a sparring match.
• Iron Fist blocked the War God's first approach as the War God attacked with fifty-thousand-horsepower magnetic field rotation.