Chapter Summaries

Alex tried to remove the Phoenix Shard and Jean Grey’s Second Personality from Jean Grey, but their fusion became a flaming phoenix that attacked him. The phoenix pierced Alex’s chest after his defenses failed and Teleportation stopped working.

• Alex used a thin blade to cut the Phoenix Shard away from Jean Grey’s heart, but the shard resisted being removed.
• Alex sealed the shard in Jean Grey’s abdomen, entered her mind, and subdued her weakened Second Personality.
• Alex spent nearly three hours separating the Second Personality from Jean Grey’s primary consciousness, then fused it with the Phoenix Shard.
• The fused shard became a flaming phoenix, broke through Alex’s defenses, and charged at him.
• Alex’s Teleportation failed, and the phoenix’s tail pierced his chest.

Alex contained the Phoenix Shard inside his body, reassuring Emma, Jean Grey, and the others that it could not harm him. Jean Grey confirmed that the Phoenix was gone from her and discovered she still had telekinetic displacement, which she expected to grow stronger.

• The Phoenix Shard invaded Alex's body and tried to fuse with his heart, but Alex turned his heart into energy and sealed the shard behind multiple barriers.
• Jean Grey panicked and blamed herself for the shard entering Alex, while Emma and the others rushed in to check on him.
• Alex showed them the contained shard, and Jean Grey sensed that its consciousness was trapped inside the barriers.
• Jean Grey checked herself and found that the Phoenix was gone and her Second Personality was no longer a problem.
• Jean Grey tested her remaining ability and moved Charles's wheelchair with telekinetic displacement.
• Alex encouraged Jean Grey and told her she could become one of the X-Men's strongest members, and she thanked him with deep reverence.

Alex learned that Tony Stark had gone to Osborn Industries after Natasha disappeared and lost contact, so he went there with Jean Grey and Loma. Loma insisted they sneak in for fun, then admitted she had erased Tony and Natasha’s locations from her own memory.

• Pepper told Alex that Tony had gone to Osborn Industries after Natasha vanished there, and J.A.R.V.I.S. confirmed Tony had been out of contact for over two hours.
• Alex brought Jean Grey and Loma to Osborn Industries to search for Tony and Natasha.
• Loma persuaded Alex to sneak into the building instead of teleporting farther inside, and Jean Grey followed them.
• After they entered, Loma admitted she did not know where Tony and Natasha were because she had erased their locations from her memory for fun.

Alex, Loma, and Jean Grey searched Osborn Tower for Tony and Natasha, found them guarded near the laboratory floor, and reached them after Whiplash attacked. The rescue game ended with Tony and Natasha safe behind energy shields.

• Alex warned Loma that he would hold her responsible if Tony or Natasha were harmed, then led the group into the stairwell.
• Alex obtained Osborn Tower’s blueprints from J.A.R.V.I.S. and deduced that Tony and Natasha were likely held near the laboratory.
• The group found four guards outside a room on the floor above the labs, and Alex quickly knocked them unconscious.
• A missile exploded beside Alex, Loma, and Jean Grey, but Loma’s energy shield protected them as she charged toward Whiplash.
• Alex found Tony and Natasha inside the blasted-open room, both protected by energy shields, and declared the rescue game over.

After defeating Whiplash, Alex brought the Destroyer back to X-Base and then traveled to Asgard with Loma to speak with Odin. They arrived in the golden realm, where Alex planned to discuss collecting the Infinity Stones and Infinity Gauntlet to prepare for the Phoenix threat.

• Loma returned with Whiplash defeated, and Tony identified Norman Osborn as the Green Goblin and vowed to take over Osborn Industries.
• Alex brought the Destroyer to X-Base, where Jean Grey asked Logan to train her in combat.
• Alex took Loma to the Bifrost site and called for Heimdall to arrange a meeting with Odin in Asgard.
• Odin agreed to open a temporary passage for Alex and allowed Loma to accompany him.
• Alex teleported with Loma to Asgard, where she explored the golden realm with delight.

Alex and Loma met Odin in Asgard and warned him that Thanos and the Phoenix might threaten Earth, asking for the Infinity Gauntlet and the Aether. Odin refused, saying he could not give them up, and Thor arrived demanding to know why.

• Heimdall escorted Alex and Loma toward the Golden Palace and confirmed that Asgard was at war after Loki's plan failed.
• Alex realized he still possessed the Tesseract and worried that Thanos might come after the Space Stone, so he resolved to obtain the Infinity Gauntlet and the Aether.
• Alex asked Odin about Thanos and revealed the Tesseract, prompting Odin to react with alarm.
• Alex warned Odin that Thanos might target Earth and that the Phoenix would certainly return, then requested the Infinity Gauntlet and the Aether.
• Odin refused, saying he could not give them up, and Thor burst in from battle to challenge his father's decision.

Alex learned that the Infinity Gauntlet was gone and that Odin knew nothing about the Aether, then urged Thor to search the universe for Loki and Thanos instead of staying on Earth. After Thor left for the Chitauri homeworld, Alex told Odin about his past battle with Thanos and the Nova Corps' Power of Ten Stars.

• Odin told Alex that the Aether had been sealed away by Bor and that the Infinity Gauntlet was gone, which Alex suspected Loki had taken.
• Alex warned Odin, Thor, and Loma that Loki might have joined forces with Thanos, then prepared to leave when Odin could not help him find the Aether.
• Odin ordered Thor to remain on Earth, but Alex persuaded him to investigate Loki and Thanos across the universe and try to speak with Loki.
• Alex told Thor to seek the Chitauri homeworld, and Thor immediately departed from the Golden Palace.
• Odin questioned how Alex knew so much, and Alex said he had fought Thanos after inheriting the Nova Corps' Power of Ten Stars.

After failing to get help from Odin or Merlin, Alex returned to X-Base and learned that Doctor Doom had seized control of New York with Chthon’s Dark Magic. Loma sensed that Chthon, Mephisto, and possibly other demon gods were invading Earth, leaving Alex ready to face the gathering threats.

• Alex returned to Earth with Loma, who suggested he ask her father how to absorb the Tesseract’s power.
• Alex went to London to seek Merlin but could not find the way to his castle.
• Charles summoned Alex back to X-Base after demon gods from extra-dimensional realms began invading Earth.
• Loma revealed that Doctor Doom had returned and was using the Dark Magic of Chthon to control New York.
• Charles said Iron Man, Spider-Man, and the Fantastic Four could not stop Doctor Doom.
• Loma identified Chthon and Mephisto among the invading demon gods, and Alex prepared to face them.

Alex arrived in New York to find Doctor Doom commanding Hellish Creatures and holding the Fantastic Four, Iron Man, Spider-Man, and others captive. Alex tried to persuade Doom to surrender, then began casting a natural spell as the creatures overwhelmed him.

• Alex teleported to Times Square and found Hellish Creatures surrounding his Stone Sword, with several superheroes tied beneath it and Doctor Doom standing above them.
• Doctor Doom declared that he had been waiting for Alex, while Alex questioned whether Chthon had taught Doom his Dark Magic; Doom insisted that he had taught himself.
• Alex offered to spare Doom if he released the captives and turned from evil, but Doom rejected the offer and attacked.
• Alex decided to defeat Doom with magic and began chanting the spell Hellfire as the Hellish Creatures attacked him without hurting him.
• Doctor Doom grew fearful but intensified his command, driving the Hellish Creatures into a frenzy until they swallowed Alex.

Alex used Hellfire to destroy the Hellish Creatures covering Times Square and tried to recruit Doctor Doom by offering to teach him powerful magic. Doom rejected the offer but arranged a magical duel with Alex in the North Sea three days later, then vanished.

• Peter Parker worried as the Hellish Creatures buried Alex, while Tony and Reed reassured him that Alex would win.
• At X-Base, Charles and Logan told Storm and Jean Grey not to interfere because Alex had matters under control.
• Alex unleashed Hellfire, which consumed every Hellish Creature in Times Square and left the square empty.
• Alex offered to teach Doctor Doom powerful spells if he changed his ways, but Doom rejected his offer and challenged him to a magical duel.
• Alex agreed to meet Doctor Doom in the North Sea three days later, and Doom vanished.

Alex told Reed Richards that two powerful cosmic beings threatened Earth and left to meet Doctor Doom in the North Sea. Doom used the encounter to summon Mephisto, leaving Alex to confront the greater danger as Mephisto began to emerge.

• Tony joked about Alex letting Doctor Doom go, and Alex threatened to intensify Tony's training.
• Alex warned Reed that two cosmic beings could bring war and destruction to Earth, and Reed vowed to protect the planet with technology.
• At X-Base, Logan and Jean Grey worried that Doom was setting a trap, but Alex said he had to give the contest a try.
• Three days later, Alex went alone to the North Sea and met Doctor Doom, who appeared dressed like a medieval mage.
• Doom said he would kill anyone who threatened Earth, then invoked the Dark Seven-Pointed Star Array to summon Mephisto.
• Alex attacked Doom, discovered he was an illusion, and turned his attention to stopping the emerging Mephisto.

Alex fought Mephisto after rejecting his offer to trade Alex’s soul for help against the demons on Earth. Mephisto’s magic drove Alex into hiding, and the chapter ended with Alex apparently disintegrated by a Magic Ray as Mephisto suspected he had survived.

• Mephisto offered to help Alex drive the demons from Earth in exchange for Alex’s soul, naming Dormammu, Zarathos, and Chthon among those who had descended.
• Alex feigned interest in the deal, then attacked Mephisto with an Energy Impact Beam, a Steel Ball Magnetic Cannon, and a Mind Blast.
• The Mind Blast briefly disrupted Mephisto, allowing the Energy Impact Beam to pierce his chest, but Mephisto recovered and magical vapor filled the sky.
• Mephisto’s vapor eroded Alex’s Psionic Power, so Alex severed it and withdrew his soul from its reach.
• Mephisto struck Alex with a powerful Magic Ray, apparently reducing him to ash, but Mephisto doubted Alex had been killed.

Alex froze the water vapor in the magic array to weaken Mephisto’s soul corrosion, but Mephisto’s Magic Ray pierced Alex’s chest and awakened the Phoenix Shard. Alex chose to merge with it, and the terrified Mephisto fled to his Hell Dimension.

• Alex froze the North Sea’s water vapor and regained the ability to use his Psionic Ability without the full effects of Mephisto’s soul corrosion.
• Alex attacked Mephisto with a Steel Ball Magnetic Cannon, an Energy Impact Beam, and a Mind Blast, but Mephisto dodged and countered with Magic Rays.
• Mephisto’s third Magic Ray pierced Alex’s chest, broke the restriction around the Phoenix Shard, and struck it, causing the Phoenix Force to surge through Alex.
• Alex stopped resisting and cooperated with the Phoenix Shard’s fusion, gaining a connection to the Phoenix and sensing its presence and emotions.
• Mephisto recognized that Alex had fused with the Phoenix Shard and fled to his Hell Dimension.
• Alex searched for Mephisto and realized that he had run away.

After merging with the Phoenix Shard, Alex discovered his Teleportation had advanced to crossing Star Systems, while his allies worried about the danger it might bring. Loma urged him to visit Merlin the Sorcerer, and Alex arrived at the sorcerer’s castle after breaking through its magical protections.

• Mephisto returned to Hell and found Doctor Doom waiting, then attacked him after Doom guessed that Alex had driven him away.
• Doctor Doom escaped to Earth and continued strengthening himself while plotting to use Alex to free his mother’s soul.
• Alex returned to X-Base and discovered the Phoenix Shard had expanded his Teleportation range across Star Systems.
• Jean Grey and the others worried that merging with the Phoenix Shard had made Alex a target, but Alex tried to reassure them.
• Loma urged Alex to visit Merlin the Sorcerer, who she believed would now receive him and might advise him about the Tesseract.
• Alex teleported directly to Merlin the Sorcerer’s castle, breaking through its magic, and realized his ability had improved beyond range alone.

Alex consulted Merlin about the dangers of merging with a Phoenix Shard and learned that the Phoenix Force might parasitize him directly. Merlin said the Mind Stone could help, and Alex resolved to take it when it came to Earth, though he worried about what its power could let Loki do.

• Merlin warned Alex that the Phoenix Force could parasitize him and drive him into madness, potentially making him a host for the Phoenix itself.
• Alex asked whether the Tesseract could help subdue the Phoenix Force, and Merlin explained that the Space Stone could not, but the Mind Stone might.
• Alex told Merlin he expected the Mind Stone to reach Earth and vowed to take it from Thanos, though he admitted he was unsure whether Thanos would come.
• Merlin described how the Mind Stone could enhance mental powers and secretly control or influence others.
• Alex worried that, without knowing when or how Loki might arrive, he could use the Mind Stone to control superheroes before Alex could stop him.

Merlin the Sorcerer explained that the Soul Stone could counter the Mind Stone, so Alex planned to travel to the Nova Empire and borrow it from Adam. Merlin agreed to send Alex there on the condition that he take Loma, while Emma and the others stayed on Earth to prepare for possible attacks by Thanos and Loki.

• Merlin the Sorcerer told Alex that the Mind Stone's control was almost impossible to detect or break, and that the Tesseract offered only limited suppression.
• Alex realized the Soul Stone could counter the Mind Stone and told Merlin the Sorcerer that Adam had it.
• Alex asked Merlin the Sorcerer to send him to the Nova Empire, and Merlin agreed on the condition that Alex take Loma with him.
• Alex returned to X-Base and told Emma and the others that he planned to borrow the Soul Stone from Adam.
• Emma and the others offered to accompany Alex, but he told them to remain on Earth in case Thanos and Loki arrived.

Alex brought Loma to the Shi'ar homeworld, where he overpowered the Imperial Guard before reuniting with Warlord. After they sparred, Warlord told Alex that the planet was deserted because the new emperor was being enthroned.

• Alex took Loma to Merlin the Sorcerer, chose the Shi'ar Empire as their destination, and traveled with her to Planet Feather.
• Alex warned Loma not to act rashly, then pinned the Imperial Guard in midair when they ordered him to surrender.
• Warlord arrived, recognized Alex, and invited him to fight; Alex released the guards and accepted the challenge.
• Warlord attacked Alex with a burst of speed and landed a powerful punch, but admitted he still could not defeat him.
• Alex asked why Planet Feather was deserted, and Warlord explained that everyone had gone to watch the new emperor's enthronement.

Alex arrived on Planet Feather for Lilandra’s coronation, where he reunited with her and was introduced to the Kree Supreme Accuser Ronan. Ronan challenged Alex to a duel to celebrate the coronation.

• Warlord told Alex that Lilandra had succeeded the former Empress, and Alex hurried to attend her coronation with Loma.
• Warlord announced Alex as Earth’s emissary, and Alex entered the main hall before the assembled guests.
• Alex congratulated Lilandra, but the former Empress told him to wait until the ceremony was over.
• After Lilandra took the throne, Ronan introduced himself as a Supreme Accuser and proposed a duel with Alex.

Ronan challenged Alex to a fight in the Shi'ar Royal Arena, and Alex accepted despite Lilandra's concern about Ronan's strength. Before the duel, Lilandra released Warlord from his Imperial Guard duties so he could pursue greater strength, while Warlord vowed to remain loyal to her.

• Ronan ignored Lilandra's objection and provoked Alex until the crowd demanded a fight, so Alex agreed to face him in the arena.
• Lilandra warned Alex that Ronan was too strong, and Warlord said he would not survive even one move against Ronan.
• Alex, Lilandra, Warlord, and Loma followed the crowd to the Shi'ar Royal Arena, where Alex mocked Warlord's limited training.
• Lilandra relieved Warlord of his Imperial Guard captaincy, and Warlord understood the freedom she was granting him and renewed his oath of loyalty.
• Alex invited Warlord to work with him, but Warlord declined, promising to seek him out once he had grown stronger.

Alex challenged Ronan to a wager, offering the Tesseract against Kree technological achievements, then fought him in the arena. After testing Ronan’s strength, Alex struck him hard enough to send him flying, but Ronan chose to continue the battle.

• Alex arrived at the arena and dismissed Ronan’s demand that he bring a weapon and armor.
• Alex offered the Tesseract as his stake, and Ronan wagered every Kree technological achievement except the Omni-Wave Emitter.
• Alex asked the spectators to witness the wager, but they refused to get involved when he dodged Ronan’s first attack.
• Alex exchanged blows with Ronan to gauge his strength, then declared the warm-up over and struck Ronan’s shoulder with a powerful punch.
• Ronan was horrified by Alex’s strength but charged at him again.