Chapter Summaries

Su Ming suspected Namor was behind the Great Flood and had Monark teach Wanda a spell to track him. As the battle with the mutated Sea People continued, Su Ming and the women looted their enemies while looking for a way to find Namor.

• Su Ming told Monark he suspected Namor, and Monark taught Wanda his people-finding spell before returning to Kamar-Taj.
• Wanda could not use seawater as a medium, so Su Ming planned to capture a Sea Person and ask about Namor’s palace.
• Su Ming noticed that the mutated Atlanteans wore sapphire circlets while they fought Arthur’s army of aquatic animals.
• Su Ming killed an Atlantean with Force Choke, took its shell jewelry, and gave the ornaments to Wanda.
• Lorna asked for a red coral dagger from another Atlantean as Su Ming offered the women more enemy loot.

Su Ming and his allies searched the ruins of lost Atlantis for clues to Namor, while Arthur continued fighting the Sea People. They found a strange air bubble in Namor’s abandoned palace and prepared to collect it as evidence.

• Su Ming fed a Sea Person to Strangle, obtained the enemy’s memories, and asked Arthur to hold the battle while he pursued Black Hand.
• Su Ming, Lorna, and Wanda teleported to the ruins of lost Atlantis and found discarded Wilson Enterprises goods and a damaged Captain America figurine.
• The group reached Namor’s empty palace, where Su Ming tried to scrape skin flakes from the throne but found none.
• Lorna spotted a tiny air bubble beneath the palace dome, which Su Ming suspected was connected to Namor or one of his trusted subordinates.
• Su Ming sent the Cloak of Levitation to collect the bubble for Wanda to examine and began digging up Namor’s throne as a souvenir.

Namor led the Atlanteans toward Washington D.C. to seize the President’s Nuclear Briefcase for Set, even as the floods began receding. The advance was suddenly crushed by an unseen force, and Deathstroke appeared behind Namor to block his way.

• Namor learned that the floods were receding toward Australia and blamed Deathstroke before consulting the Serpent God.
• Set told Namor to follow the plan and obtain the Nuclear Briefcase in exchange for power as mighty as a nuclear explosion.
• Namor led the Atlantean fleet to Washington D.C. and ordered an attack on the White House.
• The Serpent Crowns promised the Atlanteans their deepest desires, driving them to charge toward the President.
• An invisible force lifted and crushed the Atlantean vanguard, and Deathstroke emerged behind Namor, declaring the road blocked.

Deathstroke taunted Namor in battle to provoke Serpent God Set into revealing himself, while Polaris and Scarlet Witch dealt with the Atlantean forces. Set eventually possessed Namor, and Deathstroke prepared to confront the god directly.

• Namor attacked Deathstroke with his enhanced speed and Set’s trident, but Deathstroke easily evaded him.
• Deathstroke mocked Namor’s fighting and personal weaknesses while trading blows, and Polaris held back from helping so they could test their plan.
• Namor’s rage made his attacks increasingly chaotic, and Lorna said his bipolar disorder had taken over.
• Deathstroke ordered Strangle to bite Namor, but Namor dodged and revealed that Set had possessed him.
• Deathstroke called for Set to bring his real body and merged his Lightsaber with the Nightfall Greatsword.

After Namor exploded under Set’s possession, Deathstroke took the failure to capture the god’s trail as an opportunity to play Set’s game. In Hell’s Kitchen, Loki and her allies interrogated the captured angel Angela, who remained defiant.

• Namor exploded, and snakes devoured his remains before dissolving into the sea.
• Wanda asked Deathstroke if the trail had gone cold, and he said Set had challenged him to a game he intended to enjoy.
• Loki questioned Angela in an abandoned apartment while Hela, Daisy, Gwenpool, and Jessica watched.
• Angela spat at Loki, but Loki’s projection vanished and another version appeared behind her.
• Gwenpool put a mask over Angela’s face to stop her spitting, and Jessica urged her to consider whether her pursuit of honor meant she belonged with the Asgardians.

While Angela’s companions debated her origins, Blade suggested asking Frigga, and the group discovered that the Adjutant would respond to Daisy but not Loki. Meanwhile, Su Ming thanked Arthur for killing the invading Atlanteans and sent him to the TVA, then realized Superman might help with the investigation.

• Loki, Gwenpool, and Jessica questioned Angela about Hevenheim and her nature, while Angela felt a possible connection to the Asgardians around her.
• Blade proposed having Frigga meet Angela, and Loki’s request to the Adjutant went unanswered.
• Daisy called the Adjutant, who responded immediately and appeared as Doll Girl’s projection.
• Su Ming found Arthur among the waters off New York and thanked him for killing the Atlanteans invading the oceans.
• Su Ming arranged for the Adjutant to send Arthur to the TVA, where he could meet Mera and the others.
• Arthur’s remark about Superman gave Su Ming an idea for a new lead in the search connected to Namor.

Deathstroke brought Superman to Earth-40K, where the hero immediately joined the battle against the invading armies. Superman turned the tide while Deathstroke explained his Bio-Field to Wanda and waited to see what the enemy would do next.

• Deathstroke teleported Superman from his Kansas farm to New York and introduced him to Wanda and Polaris.
• Superman objected to Deathstroke's jokes about his supposed godhood and questioned how he had been brought over.
• Wanda identified Superman as an alien, and Deathstroke rewarded her with a Chocolate Frog.
• Superman tore open his shirt, revealed his costume, and flew off to rescue civilians and fight the invaders.
• Superman rapidly overwhelmed the invading forces, killing alien attackers while keeping nearby civilians safe.
• Deathstroke explained Superman's Bio-Field to Wanda and waited for the enemy's next move.

Xuthl, the God of Evil Death, appeared over New York and attacked Superman as Deathstroke continued using the invasion to draw enemies into a trap. Batman confronted Deathstroke on the Empire State Building, learned the outline of his plan, and returned to the shadows while Deathstroke watched the fog-covered city.

• Xuthl appeared above New York, and his heat scorched nearby survivors as mist spread through the city.
• Wanda asked about the fiery demon, and Deathstroke identified him as Xuthl, an ancient First Generation Demon unrelated to Dormammu.
• Superman flew at Xuthl but was blasted into the sea by magical fire.
• Deathstroke refused to attack Xuthl yet, saying the trap was not ready because more powerful enemies had not arrived.
• Batman emerged onto the rooftop and asked Deathstroke to explain his plan.
• Deathstroke admitted he had brought Superman into the conflict to keep Batman and Luthor in check, and Batman then returned to the shadows.

Angela accepted Frigga as her mother after Frigga convinced her they were related, while the group discussed Asgard’s uncertain future and faced signs of a new threat. The chapter ended with a flaming figure crashing through the wall, whom Gwenpool identified as Superman.

• Frigga reunited with Angela, used a birthmark and blood to claim her as her daughter, and embraced her until Angela accepted that she was Asgardian.
• Loki suggested repairing the Golden Palace, but Daisy explained that Asgard depended on Yggdrasil, which had not yet grown.
• Ghost Rider rode her motorcycle toward the enemy, while Squirrel Girl mistakenly thought Ghost Rider had asked her to read her lips.
• Punisher left after finding no chance to attack Angela, and Daisy and Hela relaxed once he was gone.
• A flaming figure crashed through the building’s outer wall, and Gwenpool stopped Daisy from attacking, saying he was Superman and a good guy.

Deathstroke watched the battle from the Empire State Building while deploying underwater Synthezoids to search for Atlantean Survivors. He explained that Superman’s rescue instincts would force Batman and Luthor to protect him, then learned that the Dark Elves’ Black Bifrost could bypass Earth’s defenses and bombard the planet.

• Deathstroke ordered the Adjutant to deploy underwater Synthezoids, find Atlantean Survivors, and place them in protective custody.
• Deathstroke shared a joke with Lorna and Wanda while they watched the battle and waited.
• Wanda worried that Superman had been sent flying by the King of Evil Death, but Deathstroke said the Yellow Sun would keep him alive and predicted Batman and Luthor would intervene.
• The Adjutant’s surveillance showed a bald man catch Superman before he struck the Statue of Liberty and carry him inside.
• The Adjutant explained that the Dark Elves’ Black Bifrost used Chthon’s dark energy for targeted transport and could bypass Earth’s protection spell formation.
• The Adjutant warned that numerous Black Bifrosts could be used to bombard Earth.

Su Ming surveyed New York’s scattered battles and learned that military forces and S.H.I.E.L.D. were pursuing separate operations. He saw Batwoman ride Ghost Rider’s motorcycle up his chain toward Xuthl, leaving her poised to join the fight.

• Su Ming reassured Polaris that Black Bifrost would not destroy Earth and invited her to visit Ponyville.
• Wanda surveyed the city’s battles and saw the Spider-Men struggling against Trolls and Fire Elemental Creatures, while the Avengers held off the Dark Elves and Daisy’s group faced Xuthl and the angel army.
• The Adjutant reported that Thunderbolt Ross was bringing Agent Venom and Sentinel Robots from Canada, while Fury had sent S.H.I.E.L.D. agents to an ancient Maya city.
• The Adjutant told Su Ming that Carnage, Serum, Sheriff, and other Symbiotes were searching for hosts, and Strangle asserted its strength.
• Su Ming noticed Batwoman riding with Ghost Rider, who caught Xuthl’s flames with his Iron Chain before Batwoman drove the motorcycle up the chain toward the demon god.

Batman used the Hellbat Armor and Ghost Rider's motorcycle to knock Xuthl from the sky and pummel the demon god. As Deathstroke headed toward the Avengers' battlefield, the Avengers fought the invading angels while Natasha and Clint discussed their ammunition and a way to get Iron Suits.

• Batman rode Ghost Rider's flaming motorcycle up the Iron Chain, struck Xuthl with a punch, and then attacked its eyes on the ground.
• Wanda wondered how Batman had hit an elemental demon god, and Su Ming guessed he had used Tenth Metal.
• Deathstroke offered Lorna and Wanda a ride on his Cloak and said they were heading to the Avengers' battlefield.
• Tony, Carol, Kamala Khan, and Steve drew heavy angel attacks, while Natasha noticed that the angels were ignoring her.
• Natasha and Clint discussed their remaining ammunition and Natasha suggested asking Tony to make them Iron Suits.

Chthon flooded New York with First Generation Demons, pushing the Earth Protection Spell Formation to the brink of collapse and overwhelming the Superheroes. Deathstroke kept Wanda from using her conspicuous magic and prepared to hold off the demons until God Eater arrived.

• Natasha and Hawkeye joked about Tony's height over the comm channel while fighting, and Tony angrily joined in.
• Black pillars of light brought waves of First Generation Demons into the city, and Monark warned Deathstroke that the protection spell was nearly collapsing.
• Deathstroke told Monark to have Ancient One find a solution and said he would hold the demons back until God Eater entered the fight.
• Wanda offered to help at the New York Sanctum Sanctorum, but Deathstroke refused to let her use magic where Chthon could see her.
• Deathstroke gave Wanda a Gauss Rifle and had Polaris disguise her as they prepared to move through the city.
• Deathstroke saw that Batman had vanished, Ghost Rider was fleeing, and Xuthl had climbed from the crater while roaring.

As the First Generation Demons ravaged New York, the heroes fought to hold them back while Deathstroke prepared Project I to help Tony grow. He deployed waves of Synthezoids and activated three actors modeled on Howard, Maria, and Cassandra, leaving the plan poised to unfold.

• Takuya's Leopardon and Squirrel Girl fought the First Generation Demons while the Spider Legion retreated and Supaidaman covered their escape.
• Deathstroke watched Steve emerge from the rubble and charge back into the battle, refusing to retreat before the city's civilians were evacuated.
• The First Generation Demons devoured Trolls and displaced the other invading armies as they spread through New York.
• Deathstroke ordered Adjutant to send one hundred million Synthezoids into the city and begin the second step of Project I.
• Adjutant delivered Life Pods containing Plus-version Synthezoids modeled on Howard, Maria, and Cassandra, and Deathstroke activated them for their roles.

Tony deployed a giant mech to fight the ancient demon Aquironkagua, but the demon destroyed it with a single unseen attack. Tony crashed near his parents and Cassandra, leaving their safety uncertain.

• Tony struggled to help the Avengers fight the ancient demons while searching for an effective way to harm them.
• Aquironkagua revealed that it was a Prince of Hell who had watched humanity and intended to eat Tony.
• Tony summoned the Veronica delivery module and integrated the Anti-Fin Fang Foom Mech, then charged Aquironkagua with a powerful punch.
• Aquironkagua destroyed the mech almost instantly, and Tony detached before the explosion threw him into building ruins.
• Tony regained consciousness near his parents and Cassandra, who were hiding in the ruins.

Tony reunited with his parents and Cassandra amid the danger in New York, unaware they were Synthezoids acting out Deathstroke’s plan to push him into becoming stronger. The chapter left Tony with no spare suits and uncertain how to protect his family while the battle continued.

• Tony found Howard, Maria, and Cassandra amid the rubble and hurried to check whether Agua had followed them.
• Maria worried that Deathstroke’s plan would make Tony suffer again, but Howard supported it as a way to motivate him.
• Howard and Cassandra’s Synthezoids argued with Tony about whether he should return to the Avengers or help his family escape New York.
• Tony scanned his family and confirmed their simulated heartbeats and body temperatures, believing they were alive.
• Tony asked Jarvis about his spare suits and learned he had blown them all up while drunk.

Su Ming directed Adjutant to conceal Tony's armor and arranged for Natasha to lure Aquironkagua toward the Avengers. As Natasha drew the ancient god after her, Su Ming prepared to infiltrate the Avengers with Wanda disguised by Lorna.

• Su Ming ordered Adjutant to shrink Tony's armor out of sight and keep Tony unaware that it had been moved.
• Su Ming told Adjutant to lure Aquironkagua toward the Avengers and have Natasha act, while he planned to kill the ancient god after the performance.
• Lorna disguised Wanda with dark makeup and a gyaru look, and Su Ming approved the disguise as they prepared to join the Avengers.
• Natasha warned Tony that Aquironkagua was approaching and urged him to get his family out of the building.
• Natasha fired enchanted Divine Metal Bullets at Aquironkagua to provoke it, and the ancient god swatted at her as it pursued her down the street.

Aquironkagua overwhelmed the heroes as Tony and his family came under attack, and Howard’s space-cutting device revealed the monster’s weakness. The strike cost Cassandra her life, leaving Tony grieving her death after they had only just reunited.

• Aquironkagua knocked Black Widow into a ruined building, and Hawkeye left with Kate to reach her by another route.
• Steve asked Ant-Man to hold Aquironkagua back and sent Kamala Khan to help him while the others fought the rampaging Hulk.
• Aquironkagua found Tony’s family, and Tony flew in front of his parents to brace the monster’s finger and urge them to escape.
• Howard activated his Space Cutting Generator, severing one of Aquironkagua’s fingers and revealing that spatial attacks could harm it.
• Aquironkagua jerked its injured hand back and struck Cassandra, killing her as Tony watched.
• Tony fell to his knees and crawled toward Cassandra’s remains, crying out in grief.

At Deadpool’s wedding feast, Cassandra watched a recording of Tony with her synthezoid and regretted wanting the fake version dead after it was abruptly killed. Deadpool tormented Howard and the other guests while hinting that Deathstroke had arranged events, then challenged Cassandra to guess why her synthezoid had died first.

• Cassandra learned of Deathstroke’s plan to separate her from Tony and objected, but her protest was ignored.
• Cassandra watched her synthezoid explode while interacting with Tony and felt horrified by its sudden death.
• Deadpool appeared at his wedding feast, made the guests sick with his stench and performance, and sent a Mexican cleaner away to fetch a rake and lube.
• Howard asked Deadpool to leave, but stayed because he needed to watch the broadcast from Tony’s side.
• Deadpool told Cassandra that Deathstroke had praised her ruthlessness and asked her to guess why her synthezoid had died first.

Deathstroke watched Blue Marvel knock the rampaging Hulk toward the Atlantic, then redirected the heroes’ attention from rescuing Tony to the city’s monsters. He revealed that his advice to Blue Marvel had been a lie and argued that the disasters had likely left no survivors near the ancient gods.

• Steve had spread the Avengers across New York, leaving himself as bait while Bucky and others rushed to help Tony.
• Deathstroke urged Carol to knock out the Hulk, but she hesitated because a weak hit could enrage him and a strong one could kill him or damage the city.
• Blue Marvel struck the Hulk’s chin with a Rising Dragon Fist, sending him flying toward the Atlantic Ocean.
• Deathstroke stopped Blue Marvel from following the others and persuaded him to fly off to fight monsters threatening civilians elsewhere.
• Deathstroke pulled Carol back, replaced her Avengers communicator, and admitted he had lied to Blue Marvel because the flooding, boiling steam, and ancient gods likely left no survivors nearby.