Chapter Summaries

Alex encountered Daredevil in Hell's Kitchen and learned that Kingpin’s operation had been abducting hundreds of mutant children. The children were reportedly still alive and being held for transport, and Alex prepared to confront Kingpin.

• Alex noticed a red-suited figure on a rooftop, then was surrounded by robbers demanding his money.
• Daredevil leaped from the rooftop and defeated the robbers with his batons after they threatened him with Kingpin’s name.
• Alex introduced himself as a mutant, and Daredevil mistakenly assumed he was investigating the abducted mutant children.
• Alex teleported Daredevil to a rooftop and demanded an explanation about the children.
• Daredevil said Kingpin’s people had abducted several hundred mutant children, who were still alive and awaiting transport.
• Alex angrily declared that he would kill Kingpin immediately.

Alex joined Daredevil and Spider-Man to draw Kingpin out by attacking gangs across Hell's Kitchen. After they cleared six gangs, Daredevil sensed Kingpin’s forces approaching, and the group prepared to face eighty or ninety strong opponents.

• Daredevil warned Alex that Kingpin controlled a vast criminal empire and had powerful fighters, but Alex insisted on confronting him.
• Daredevil returned with Spider-Man, and Alex recognized him as Peter Parker, who recognized Alex from the Times Square battle.
• When none of them knew Kingpin’s location, Daredevil proposed provoking him by attacking his gangs.
• Alex, Daredevil, and Spider-Man beat their way through five gangs, then Alex single-handedly cleared a sixth while the others watched.
• Daredevil sensed Kingpin’s forces approaching and estimated that eighty or ninety strong opponents were on their way.

Alex confronted Kingpin in Hell’s Kitchen to find the missing mutant children, but Kingpin’s powered forces blocked Alex’s attacks and restricted his Teleportation. Spider-Man and Daredevil were pinned down as Kingpin prepared another move, leaving Alex trapped and wary of the danger.

• Alex questioned Kingpin about the mutant children, and Kingpin denied that any were in Hell’s Kitchen.
• Alex attacked Kingpin with steel balls and energy beams, but Kingpin’s allies blocked the attacks and absorbed the beams.
• Alex charged into Kingpin’s group and unleashed a powerful attack, but Kingpin reappeared fifty meters away.
• Kingpin’s people used electrified metal rods to restrict Alex’s Teleportation, while four fighters engaged Spider-Man and Daredevil.
• Alex challenged Kingpin as he remained trapped, and Kingpin promised he would see what came next.

Alex struggled to reach Spider-Man and Daredevil while Kingpin’s superhumans nullified his usual attacks, but he remembered his extreme body control and magic. As Kingpin prepared Absolute Zero, Alex completed a magic array that stirred the energy throughout the space.

• Alex’s Red Impact Beams vanished into spatial rifts, and barriers stopped his steel balls, so he charged into the encirclement and knocked out a superhuman with an uppercut.
• Alex stretched his arms through the ring of attackers and pulled the injured Spider-Man and Daredevil to him, then healed them with his medicinal pill ability.
• Spider-Man reminded Alex of his body-stretching move, prompting Alex to recall his extreme body control and his knowledge of magic.
• Alex expanded into a canvas-like shell to protect Spider-Man and Daredevil while Kingpin ordered his people to prepare Absolute Zero.
• Alex constructed a magic array and finished casting as energy stirred throughout the space, while Kingpin’s smug smile froze before Absolute Zero was complete.

Alex summoned a powerful Tentacle Monster to defeat Kingpin’s forces, but exhausted his magic and lost control of it. As the creature continued regenerating and the battle drew the attention of American soldiers and reporters, Charles contacted Alex.

• The Tentacle Monster emerged from the ground and overwhelmed nearly half of Kingpin’s superpowered forces before Alex realized he could no longer control it.
• The monster attacked Alex, Spider-Man, and Daredevil, and their attempts to sever its tentacles failed because they regenerated immediately.
• Spider-Man suggested attacking the monster’s base, but Alex’s energy beam passed through it without effect, so he tried fire at Kingpin’s suggestion.
• Kingpin explained Absolute Zero, and Alex used it to slow the monster, but it continued fighting and healing.
• As American soldiers and reporters arrived, Alex helped Spider-Man and Daredevil escape, and Charles contacted him telepathically.

Alex faced the regenerating Tentacle Monster in New York and sent his ring to Emma so she could find the Sorcerer Supreme. The Ancient One appeared, recognized the creature was not Shuma-Gorath, and reached Alex as he struggled against its attacks.

• Alex ordered Charles to retreat and gave him the Inheritance Ring to deliver to Emma, while he stayed behind to fight the Tentacle Monster.
• Emma and the others searched Mysterious Valley, and Vivien Leigh used magic on the ring, summoning The Ancient One as a spirit.
• The Ancient One viewed Alex's battle through a magical cloud curtain, recognized the monster, and traveled to New York.
• Emma, Vivien Leigh, Monroe, and Audrey set out for New York, leaving The Sage in charge of Mysterious Valley.
• The Ancient One reached Alex and told him that tearing off the monster's tentacles was useless, and Alex welcomed his master.

Alex and The Ancient One fought the Tentacle Monster, which transformed after Shuma-Gorath appeared and threatened Earth’s seal. They sent the creature back underground, but The Ancient One vanished to the valley while Alex faced the American soldiers surrounding him.

• The Ancient One restrained the Tentacle Monster, but she collapsed and entered astral form as it transformed and revealed that Shuma-Gorath had appeared.
• The Ancient One told Alex that Earth was no longer sealed off and that other-dimensional demon gods might attack, then instructed him to help send the monster back.
• Alex repeated The Ancient One’s incantation and unleashed powerful magic that bound the Tentacle Monster and dragged it beneath the ground.
• The Tentacle Monster vowed to return before disappearing, and The Ancient One told Alex to clean up the aftermath and meet her in the valley.
• American soldiers surrounded Alex, so he told their general that he had sent a demon from another dimension back and then vanished.

Alex returned to The Ancient One, who was gravely weakened by Shuma-Gorath's power, and learned that Earth had become connected to the demon lord's dimension. The Ancient One warned that dimensional lords could invade Earth, but she had no definite plan to stop them, leaving Alex stunned when she agreed that negotiating with Shuma-Gorath might work.

• Alex left the American soldiers and returned to Mysterious Valley, where The Ancient One summoned him to a golden palace in a mysterious realm.
• The Ancient One told Alex that Shuma-Gorath's power had badly injured her and could not be removed by his Elixir ability.
• The Ancient One explained that extra-dimensional realms were smaller universes ruled by powerful lords who were nearly invincible in their own dimensions.
• The Ancient One warned that Earth had become connected to Shuma-Gorath's dimension, exposing it to invasions by demon gods from other realms.
• Alex suggested finding powerful allies or traveling back in time, but The Ancient One said the past could not be changed and offered no concrete plan.
• Alex jokingly suggested asking Shuma-Gorath not to invade Earth, and The Ancient One said negotiation might work.

Alex learned that exploiting the pride of extra-dimensional lords might stop Shuma-Gorath from invading Earth, but he needed help reaching their realm. When he returned to Mysterious Valley, he learned that nearly a hundred countries had declared war on mutants, and he warned Nick Fury that a powerful extra-dimensional lord could soon arrive.

• The Ancient One told Alex that using the arrogance of extra-dimensional lords might persuade Shuma-Gorath to abandon an invasion, and she gave him an address for mages who could help him reach their realm.
• Alex returned to Mysterious Valley and found Nick Fury and the X-Mansion leaders gathered there.
• Nick Fury told Alex that the United States and nearly a hundred other countries had declared war on mutants, while Emma said humans had only needed an excuse to attack them.
• Angered by humanity's actions, Alex considered letting the dimensional lords ravage Earth.
• Alex told Nick Fury that an extra-dimensional lord could descend at any moment and was powerful enough to destroy Earth or the entire Solar System with a single finger.

Alex warned Nick Fury that Shuma-Gorath threatened the universe and demanded action after revealing Kingpin had captured mutant children. He then traveled with Emma and the others to London to find the mysterious person The Ancient One had directed him to, and Vivien Leigh suspected it was Merlin the Sorcerer.

• Alex told Nick Fury and the others that Shuma-Gorath was a threat powerful enough to destroy the Solar System and shared what The Ancient One had taught him.
• Alex revealed that Kingpin had captured hundreds of mutant children, and Nick Fury promised to investigate before leaving.
• Alex asked Charles to lead the X-Men to rescue the children and warned them to beware of humans and Kingpin.
• Alex returned to Mysterious Valley, told Emma and the other women he planned to prepare for Shuma-Gorath, and explained that he needed to find someone in the United Kingdom.
• Alex brought Emma, Vivien Leigh, Audrey, and Monroe to London, where Vivien Leigh suggested they were searching for Merlin the Sorcerer.

Alex and his companions searched for Merlin the Sorcerer and reached a hidden castle protected by a dangerous magical trial. Merlin revealed that he knew Alex was a soul from another world.

• Vivien Leigh told Alex and the others the legends of Merlin, King Arthur’s mentor, and his reputed power over fate.
• Alex led the group through a shadowy forest to an ancient castle, where the bridge transformed into a sea of lava.
• A flaming scorpion attacked, and Alex used a Binding Spell before breaking the magical trial by destroying the floating stone beneath them.
• The lava vanished, and a voice invited the group into the castle; they followed it to the main hall.
• An elderly man identified himself as Merlin the Sorcerer and told Alex that he knew Alex was a soul from another world.

Alex sought Merlin’s help reaching Shuma-Gorath, but Merlin gave him Excalibur instead and told him he would understand its power when he was ready. Merlin then sent Alex and the women back to London, leaving Alex to figure out the sword before entering the Chaos Dimension.

• Merlin recognized that Alex came from another world and warned that Alex could not reach Shuma-Gorath directly.
• Alex panicked at the prospect of searching the Chaos Dimension, and Monroe, Emma, and the other women refused to let him face the danger alone.
• Merlin revealed Excalibur and said that only a true knight could wield it; Alex accepted the sword.
• Merlin read Alex’s doubts, then sent Alex and the women to London before answering when he could enter the Chaos Dimension.
• Merlin told Alex telepathically that he would know when he understood Excalibur’s power.

After Merlin hinted at Excalibur’s hidden power, Alex took Emma and the other women shopping and explained his previous life to them. He left them reassured that he had no desire to return to his old universe, then tried to steer the group toward a restaurant.

• Alex wondered what special power Merlin had meant when he spoke of Excalibur.
• Alex agreed to take Emma, Vivien Leigh, Monroe, and Audrey shopping, while explaining that he had to face Shuma-Gorath because he had brought the Tentacle Monster to Earth.
• The four women made Alex try on more than twenty outfits and bought him three bags of clothes.
• Alex told the women about his previous life and said he did not want to return to his old universe because he had them.
• Alex suggested they get something to eat, and Monroe pressed him to explain why he laughed at Vivien Leigh's suggestion of fish and chips.

Alex took Monroe, Emma, Audrey, and Vivien Leigh to a restaurant, where Stargazy Pie amused them before Vivien Leigh noticed something unusual at a neighboring table. Alex detected magic from Brian and realized Brian could hear their conversation.

• Alex joked about Finnish cuisine and made the women curious about the Stargazy Pie they had ordered.
• The waiter served Stargazy Pie, and Monroe, Emma, Audrey, and Vivien Leigh laughed at its strange appearance.
• Brian's sister teased him about watching the women at Alex's table, then started advising him on how to pursue girls.
• Vivien Leigh sensed something odd at the neighboring table, and Alex detected concealed magical fluctuations from Brian.
• Alex realized Brian could hear him after Brian's mind reacted to his remark about magic.

Alex and the others discovered that Brian Braddock carried a magical item and followed him to a secluded field, where Brian recognized Alex as Captain America's comrade. Brian showed Alex photographs of the Howling Commandos, while Emma and the other women noticed a faintly magical amulet in his box.

• Alex and Vivien Leigh sensed magic around Brian, and Alex suspected he was carrying a magical item that could pierce the soundproofing array.
• Alex and the women left the restaurant, and Brian's sister encouraged him to follow them after they vanished around a corner.
• Alex's group appeared behind Brian in a desolate field, where Brian recognized Alex as Captain America's comrade and named him as the Howling Commandos' Phantom.
• Brian explained that his grandfather had handled logistics for the Howling Commandos and showed Alex more than thirty photographs of the unit.
• Emma and the other women noticed a faintly magical amulet at the bottom of Brian's wooden box.

Brian explained that his grandfather had taught him about Alex and vowed to make Alex’s erased heroism known again. Alex strengthened Brian’s body, then learned that Brian’s amulet was said to have come from Merlin and offered to take him to meet the sorcerer.

• Brian said his grandfather had told him about Alex and blamed the Allied government for erasing records of Alex’s deeds.
• Alex offered Brian a chance to become stronger, then used his energy control to enhance Brian’s physique.
• Brian tested his new strength, thanked Alex, and promised to use it to punish evil and uphold justice.
• Alex cautioned Brian to keep training, then prepared to send him home.
• Brian gave Alex an amulet said to have been gifted to his ancestors by Merlin and revealed that it had helped him find Alex.
• Alex offered to take Brian to meet Merlin.

Alex brought Brian to Merlin’s castle to test Merlin’s identity and learn his intentions. Merlin took Brian away to teach him, and his daughter Loma revealed that he was the Omniverse Guardian, not a Watcher.

• Alex teleported Brian, Emma, and the others to London and led them back to Merlin’s castle.
• Alex presented Merlin’s amulet and brought Brian before him; Merlin agreed that Brian was fated to meet him, though he had arrived early.
• Merlin introduced his daughter Loma, then took Brian away to teach him.
• After Merlin revealed secrets about Emma and the others, Alex explained that he suspected Merlin was like The Watcher Otu and had brought Brian to test him.
• Loma told the group that Merlin was the Omniverse Guardian, not a Watcher.

Alex learned that Merlin was an Omniverse Guardian and tried to enlist Loma’s help against the coming extra-dimensional invasion. Merlin sent Brian with Alex, hinted that Excalibur could help Alex face the threat, and the chapter ended with Loma asking to go with them.

• Loma explained that Merlin was only using a weak avatar, while Alex worried that Merlin would not intervene in Earth's affairs.
• Alex tried to persuade Loma to help defend Earth from an extra-dimensional lord, but she ignored him until Emma and the other women drew her into conversation.
• Merlin returned with Brian and told Alex to take him to New York, then warned Alex that some matters were better handled without outside interference.
• Merlin revealed that Excalibur had been his former self's personal sword and urged Alex to comprehend its power.
• As Alex prepared to leave with Emma, the other women, and Brian, Loma asked Merlin if she could go with them.

After Merlin sent Loma with Alex, Alex spent more than half a month trying to understand Excalibur, but its spirit overwhelmed him with guilt and remorse. Merlin revealed that the ordeal was his punishment for Alex’s earlier scheme, then allowed Loma to act once on Earth as compensation.

• Merlin agreed to let Loma leave with Alex but ordered Alex to protect her, warning him that she had not yet received Omniverse Energy.
• Alex returned to Mysterious Valley and devoted himself to understanding Excalibur while Loma repeatedly asked Emma to take her to New York.
• Alex entered Emma’s office dazed after Excalibur’s spirit rejected his attempts to comprehend it, and Loma explained that he would recover in a few days.
• Emma and Audrey comforted Alex as Excalibur’s influence left him overwhelmed by guilt and crying.
• Merlin admitted that he had used Excalibur to teach Alex a lesson and granted Loma permission to act once on Earth.

Alex learned that Loma could send him to the Chaos Dimension but could not bring him back, leaving him torn between facing Shuma-Gorath and staying with Emma and the others. When Brian touched Excalibur, it awakened and revealed him as its rightful wielder.

• Loma explained that she could send Alex near Shuma-Gorath using Excalibur, but that Alex could not wield its power himself.
• Emma and others searched for someone compatible with Excalibur, but their efforts found no one before Alex insisted time was running out.
• Loma revealed she could only send Alex to the Chaos Dimension and could not bring him back, making the others try to stop him from leaving.
• Brian contacted Alex with Merlin's reforged talisman, and Alex brought him to Mysterious Valley while struggling to decide what to do.
• Brian grabbed Excalibur, which burst into light and transformed, revealing him as its rightful owner.