The Avengers (Marvel;Re)/Issue 5 (GazzaB9)

The fifth issue of Ant-Man's Avengers in Marvel;Re and the fifth part of the "Stellify" arc.

Synopsis
After discovering the true nature of Adam Kadmon as well as finding out that someone is erasing the universe, the Avengers decide to find and interrogate Galactus, who they hope has some information about the situation. Things do not go as planned.

Plot
Picking up shortly after we previously left off, the Avengers, Stella, Tel-Kar, and Kl'rt all gather around a table. Kl'rt and Tel-Kar stare daggers at each other from across the table.


 * Wasp: In hindsight, inviting Tel-Kar into the room probably wasn't the best idea...
 * Tel-Kar: No, it's my fault for accepting.
 * Super-Skrull: Apologies for my stoic nature around you, it's just that I can smell the blood of my people emanating from your pours so I'm a little bit angry right now...
 * Tel-Kar: You've killed a lot of my people too, don't act like a saint, Skrull.
 * Ant-Man: Listen, I know that the Skrulls and Kree have never had a good relationship, but can we put that aside for now? Countless people died on Hala when it erased and we have to find out what did it before Tarnax IV and maybe even Earth suffer the same fate.
 * She-Hulk: Yeah, you said we had to meet Galactus for that or something?
 * Ant-Man: Look, I know it makes me sound insane, but like I said before, Vision told us that whatever is erasing the universe has energy readings that are similar to a Cosmic Entity and Cosmic Entities aren't particularly easy to find. The ones like Lady Death are always in their own realms, it's very hard to get a conversation started with a Celestial, and I'm not even sure a lot of them are actually allowed to help us in the first place. The only Cosmic Entity that's easy to reach and who's actually willing to talk to people is Galactus.
 * Moon Knight: Galactus is a lunatic, there's no way he's willing to help us!
 * Hercules: Actually, Galactus is surprisingly humble. He once confessed to me that he had been defeated by Ego, The Living Planet, and requested my help in defeating him.
 * Spider-Woman: You know, I never actually met the guy. During all of his attacks on Earth I never actually was one of the heroes that had to confront him. Is he nice?
 * Wasp: He very much is not! Hank, I can't believe you're honestly considering asking Galactus for help!
 * Vision: To be fair, Galactus and Earth have had a peace treaty signed for a good few years now.
 * Wasp: Yeah, Earth. He can still attack us if we're in space!
 * Ant-Man: Can you think of any other way of finding out what the Cosmic Entity is?
 * Wasp: Oh, I don't know, maybe we should track it down instead of GALACTUS!
 * Vision: We can't. The energy emitted by the entity I scanned isn't enough to track it down. I would need to directly scan it. I don't have scans of it due to the fact I have never met it before but I do have scans of Galactus.
 * Wasp: Well... is there literally nowhere else we can find out?! We found out Stella was Adam Kadmon from books, maybe we can find something written in some books about the thing?!
 * Super-Skrull: Trust me, if knowledge of this entity was written down anywhere then it would be everywhere. Every creature in the universe would know it exists and fear its name.
 * Wasp: Then why don't... We could... This...

Wasp grasps her head.


 * Wasp: Oh dear God, we have to meet Galactus...
 * Tel-Kar: How do you actually plan on finding Galactus, though? In spite of his size, he's not known for being easy to find. And I doubt that the android's scanners can reach far enough to track him down.
 * Stella: I can help.
 * Ant-Man: How so?
 * Stella: My power may be fading, but I think I have enough left in me to empower someone else. If The Vision borrows some power from me then he may be able to increase his scanner's radius wide enough to find him. Though it'll drain a good chunk of the small power I have left in the process.
 * Wasp: Stella, we can't risk doing that. We don't know how much power you actually have left or what it'll do to you if you drain it too much.
 * Stella: I don't care. If this helps me find out who I am and saves the universe in the process then I'll do it.
 * Tel-Kar: Sacrificing your power to try and save people you've never and will probably never meet. How human of you.
 * Stella: Thank you.
 * Tel-Kar: That wasn't a compliment.
 * Stella: I know.
 * Vision: If you're truly willing to, then I'm more than happy to accept an energy donation from you.

Stella gets up and walks up to Vision. She takes a breath and looks up at him. Vision grabs the sides of Stella's head and she begins donating her energy to him, the stone of Vision's forehead glowing as she does. When she's done, Vision lets her go and she trips slightly but it caught by Wasp. Vision then opens his eyes, which are glowing bright yellow.


 * Vision: I know where he is. Follow me.

Later, the Avengers and Stella are boarding the spaceship they originally arrived on the Kree moon with. Hank talks to Super-Skrull and Tel-Kar before leaving.


 * Ant-Man: What'll you two do if this planet starts to be erased as well?
 * Super-Skrull: I'll attempt to evacuate as many people as possible.
 * Ant-Man: And you, Tel-Kar?
 * Tel-Kar: Accept my fate.
 * Ant-Man: What?
 * Tel-Kar: I am currently one of the last Kree alive. The Queen of my people is dead. The heir to her throne was one of the first to go. The Supreme Intelligence was wiped out with my planet. What am I meant to do? Gather up other survivors? The Kree have enemies all across the galaxy, no sane planet would willingly take us in and risk one of those enemies attacking them. Even the people of Earth would treat us with fear due to some of the actions we've committed against it. If this planet were to be erased, I'd be more than happy to allow myself to be erased with it. Who knows? Maybe the Etherplex is real and I'll be reunited with my people.

Ant-Man stares at Tel-Kar. He opens his mouth to say something but closes it, lost for words.


 * Tel-Kar: You have a mission to attend to. Get to it to make sure none of that will have to happen.
 * Ant-Man: Y... Yeah...

Hank gets on to the ship with the others. The door closes behind him and the ship takes off into hyper speed.


 * Super-Skrull: You would honestly allow yourself to die if this planet were to be erased?
 * Tel-Kar: Would you not if you had been through what I've been through?
 * Super-Skrull: No. I would live. I would keep my people's blood flowing, even if it meant I was the only one left and had to resort to creating half-breed children, I would keep the Skrull Empire alive.
 * Tel-Kar: That truly sounds like the mindset of a Skrull.
 * Super-Skrull: Apologies for ignoring your comment but I have a question. Why didn't you go with The Avengers? If Galactus truly can point them to the entity that wiped out the Kree, wouldn't you want to take revenge for your people's demise?
 * Tel-Kar: In this case, vengeance is pointless. Killing the man who wiped out my people would feel good but it wouldn't bring them back. Although, I must admit, a part of me does want to know the one responsible.
 * ???: Do you?

Tel-Kar and Super-Skrull both turn and see a humanoid entity whose body is half white with the other half seemingly being made of the universe.


 * ???: Do you really?
 * Super-Skrull: Who... who are you...?
 * ???: I am no one. I haven't gained enough power to forge my identity.
 * Tel-Kar: What does that--
 * ???: One more planet would most likely let me gain my name. I'm so ashamed that it took me this long to grow my power enough to generate my body...
 * Tel-Kar: ...It was you... You killed the Kree...
 * ???: You're only now realizing? I thought that you would have figured that out the moment you saw me.
 * Super-Skrull: And I assume you're now here for Tarnax?
 * ???: Naturally.
 * Super-Skrull: That's all I needed to hear...

Kl'rt's arms grow in size until they rip his sleeves, revealing they've turned to stone not unlike The Thing's. They then catch on fire, à la Human Torch. Meanwhile, Tel-Kar's Sleeper symbiote completely covers his body, turning him into his full symbiote form.


 * Sleeper: I never thought I'd fight alongside a Skrull.
 * Super-Skrull: I didn't want to fight alongside a Kree, so I suppose we're even.

Sleeper lets out a small laugh before initiating the battle by very quickly making his way towards the entity and turning his arms into axes, cutting both of the entity's arms off. He then kicks the entity on to the ground and, moments later, a psychic forcefield created by Super-Skrull covers the entity. Super-Skrull then snaps his fingers, igniting the inside of the forcefield and covering the entity completely in fire. Eventually, the fire and forcefield dissipate, revealing the entity is completely gone.


 * Sleeper: Disintegrated... Good.
 * Super-Skrull: I feel as if you should know I did all of the work there.
 * Sleeper: Oh, please, if I hadn't cut his arms off he would have broken free easy.
 * Super-Skrull: Keep telling yourself that.

They both hear someone clapping and absolute horror crosses their faces. They turn around and their fears are confirmed when they see the entity clapping for them.


 * ???: So strong. You're both immensely powerful warriors.

The entity raises his hand in the air and energy erupts from it, completely covering the planet and wiping out everyone on it until it's left a hollow husk like Hala before it. The entity that destroyed the planet hovers in front of Tarnax IV's corpse with a content smile on his face.


 * ???: Finally... I remember my name...

Later, the Avengers continue flying through space. Moon Knight pilots and Vision gives him directions while the other Avengers sit in their respective seats. Due to lacking a seat for her, Stella sits on a nearby table.


 * Vision: We're very close to his location. It won't take long now.
 * Wasp: You say that like it's a good thing...
 * She-Hulk: Why are you so afraid of Galactus?
 * Wasp: Why are you not!? He's tried to eat our planet multiple times! And he's always got the exact same look on his face, it's impossible to tell what he's thinking!
 * Spider-Woman: Honestly, I'll take Galactus over the Skrulls any day. Their Queen really messed my head up when she impersonated me and stole a whole year from my life...
 * She-Hulk: You would take Galactus... over the Skrulls...?
 * Spider-Woman: Yeah?
 * She-Hulk: You know literally nothing about Galactus, do you...?
 * Spider-Woman: I know he's big and powerful.
 * Stella: He's more than that.
 * Spider-Woman: What do you mean?
 * Stella: Galactus is the fear of all races across the universe. His infinite hunger that causes him to devour planets is known far and wide. He's so terrifying that he's become the bogeyman of many species, who tell their children stories about him to scare them into behaving themselves.
 * Spider-Woman: Oh... well, holy crap...
 * Stella: Holy crap indeed...

Hercules leans in to She-Hulk and whispers to her.


 * Hercules: So, this isn't the best time but since we're about to meet Galactus and we've got a 50/50 chance of dying I thought I'd ask, are we going out now or was that thing on the moon--
 * She-Hulk: I'm not ready to be tied down, Herc.
 * Hercules: Okay, okay, that's cool. But, uh... when you are ready to be tied down, how much of a shot do I have?

She-Hulk does the "so-so" hand motion.


 * Hercules: Damn it...

They all suddenly hear a loud humming noise and turn around to see Ant-Man messing with a bunch of wires.


 * Ant-Man: Sorry.

He goes back to doing his thing.


 * Wasp: Hank, are you okay?
 * Ant-Man: I'm fine, why?
 * Wasp: You haven't said anything since we took off. You sure you're doing fine?
 * Ant-Man: I'm completely fine.
 * Wasp: Hank, it's okay to--
 * Ant-Man: Damn it, don't distract me!

Everyone goes quiet and stare at Hank, surprised at his sudden outburst. Stella in particular looks very disappointed in Hank.


 * Ant-Man: I, uh... sorry. I guess seeing Hala be wiped out messed with my head more than I thought. It's, like... I know that it's not my fault but I just somehow think I could've stopped it. And, yeah, I know I couldn't have but... I don't know, I just feel like all those deaths could've been avoided if I just did something a little different.

Wasp frowns and gets out of her seat. She flies up to Hank and crouches down in front of him. She then delivers a swift slap to his face.


 * Ant-Man: Agh! What was that for!?
 * Wasp: For God's sake, Hank, you know for a fact that there was nothing you could do! There's absolutely nothing you could've done differently that would've miraculously saved them all! Don't think this bullcrap is your freakin' fault, you're gonna mess your head up if you start thinking that way! Your head's already been messed up once, I couldn't stand seeing it be messed up again!

Ant-Man rubs his cheek while thinking about Wasp's words.


 * Wasp: WE!
 * Ant-Man: What?
 * Wasp: I said that I couldn't stand it, I meant we!
 * Stella: Good save.
 * Wasp: Shut up, you little...!
 * Moon Knight: We're here.
 * Spider-Woman: How do you know?

Moon Knight points out the window at Galactus' gigantic spaceship the Star Sphere, which is hovering through space in front of them.


 * Spider-Woman: Is that his?
 * She-Hulk: You don't even know what his spaceship looks like?! The damn thing floated over Earth for hours!

The spaceship flies up to the Star Sphere, which does nothing about its presence. Moments later, The Avengers float out of their ship in space suits and land on the Star Sphere.


 * Ant-Man: The ship isn't reacting at all to our presence... Something's very wrong here...
 * Spider-Woman: How are we meant to get inside?

Hercules walks up and headbutts the glass door of the Star Sphere completely shattering it.


 * Hercules: It repairs itself so get in fast.
 * Moon Knight: If you're this strong, it's a wonder how you lost against that Kree.
 * Hercules: Wha... you knew!? You weren't even there! Who told him?!
 * Wasp: I thought he needed to know.
 * Hercules: Why would he need to know that?!

The Avengers all get inside the Star Sphere, dropping the argument and taking their helmets off once they're in.


 * Hercules: I'm stronger than him, just so you know!
 * Wasp: Okay.
 * Hercules: I am!

The Avengers continue forward, a very upset Hercules following them.


 * Stella: What if I'm bad...?
 * Ant-Man: What?
 * Stella: I'm about to find out who I actually am. What if it turns out my mind was wiped for a good reason and I'm bad...?
 * Ant-Man: I'm sure you're not.
 * Stella: But what if...?
 * Ant-Man: ...If you turn out to be one of the bad guys, then I'll make sure to bring you back to your senses. Don't worry.
 * Stella: And if I have no sense to come back to...?
 * Ant-Man: Well...

Stella's face shifts to a mix of sadness and determination.


 * Stella: Mister Pym.
 * Ant-Man: Yes?
 * Stella: if it turns out I am evil and I attempt to attack you, I want you to fight back.
 * Ant-Man: O... okay.
 * Stella: And don't fight me as if I'm a friend that you can reach. I want you to fight me as if you intend to kill me...
 * Ant-Man: But I...

Stella looks at him.


 * Ant-Man: ...Okay. I'll do it...
 * Stella: Thank you, my friend.
 * Ant-Man: Friend... huh...
 * Vision: He's here.
 * Ant-Man: Excuse me?

Vision points at an incredibly large doorway in front of them. His eyes also stop glowing.


 * Vision: Beyond that doorway is Galactus. I can sense his energy from here...
 * Hercules: Let's go...

Hercules charges in through the doorway and dramatically points in front of him.


 * Hercules: Galactus! Tis I, Hercules! I have come to converse with thee and I am not afraid to face you in combat if you... um...

It's revealed Galactus is doing nothing but sitting in an almost meditative state in his chair.


 * Hercules: R... refuse...

The other Avengers walk into the room.


 * Hercules: He isn't doing anything, why isn't he doing anything?
 * Ant-Man: ...Galactus. I'm not sure if you're aware who I am, but I'm Hank Pym and these are my Avengers. We've come to ask you a few questions.

Galactus continues to do nothing. The Avengers all look at each other, very confused. Vision then floats up to Galactus.


 * Vision: Galactus. We are here to talk.

He doesn't react.


 * Hercules: Galactus! I helped you defeat Ego, The Living Planet! You owe me one! Now talk, damn it!

Galactus continues to sit in silence. However, he then lets out a long sigh and slowly opens his eyes.


 * Galactus: You have seven minutes...
 * Ant-Man: Wonderful. Now--
 * Spider-Woman: Are you okay, man? You seem, like... bummed.
 * Ant-Man: We aren't here to comfort the Eater of Worlds, Jessica.
 * Spider-Woman: Well, aren't you at least a bit curious what's making the strongest thing in the universe depressed?
 * Hercules: Well, he's not the strongest. He's like--
 * Spider-Woman: Oh, shut up...
 * She-Hulk: You know what? That's a good point. What the hell's going on, Gali?
 * Galactus: I am not depressed. I am simply waiting for my death.
 * Wasp: What? What could kill you?
 * Galactus: The heat death of the universe. I'm waiting for it to come for me.
 * Ant-Man: I'm guessing you're talking about that thing that's been wiping out planets?
 * Galactus: Yes.
 * Ant-Man: So it's going to kill you as well?
 * Galactus: It's already begun.

A hologram of a universe with a white circle surrounding it appears.


 * Wasp: What's this?
 * Galactus: The entire universe.
 * Wasp: And what's this white thing?
 * Galactus: That's a part of the universe.
 * Wasp: But... it's white...
 * Galactus: Yes. It's been completely eaten away by the heat death. It's tearing the universe apart to complete its destiny. And when the universe dies, I die along with it...
 * Spider-Woman: Why aren't you doing anything to stop him?
 * Galactus: It's the reason he was made. If I fought to save myself, the beings that keep the universe in-check would consider me their enemy. What's the point of fighting against destiny in the first place, let alone if it makes you an enemy of ones so powerful?

The Avengers all give looks to each other, acknowledging the hard situation Galactus is trapped in.


 * Ant-Man: Well... can we ask another question?
 * Galactus: You have a minute left, so I suppose.
 * Ant-Man: Who is Adam Kadmon?
 * Galactus: Why do you want to know?
 * Stella: Because I'm him. Or... I was him. It appears I've lost most of my memories and my power.
 * Galactus: Huh... odd...
 * Stella: What?
 * Galactus: Adam Kadmon is a name my brother goes by. The embodiment of the cosmos... Eternity.
 * Wasp: What!?
 * Hercules: How is that even possible!?
 * Spider-Woman: Who's Eternity?
 * Hercules: Eternity is... he's exactly what it says on the tin! He's the embodiment of everything! The universe itself! He's the biggest star in the galaxy and he's the smallest atom in the universe! But... why is he a little girl!?
 * Galactus: It makes more sense than you'd imagine. The universe is currently incredibly weak. It's weaker than it's ever been. So, to reflect that, Eternity took on the weakest form he's ever taken. A little girl.
 * Hercules: I don't... Okay then...

Ant-Man pats Stella's head once again.


 * Ant-Man: You hear that? You're not one of that bad guys! You're the biggest good guy there is!

Stella smiles and tears roll down her cheeks. However, she then gets angry and shakes her head to get rid of the tears.


 * Stella: Ugh! The water in my eyes are caused when I'm happy now!? The moment I think I'm starting to understand something, I find out something else that raises more questions!
 * Spider-Woman: So, now that we know for a fact who you are, do you want us to call you Eternity now and start calling you by male pronouns?
 * Stella: Hm... No, I don't think so. I don't resemble Eternity and I don't have his power, so I may as well be a different person. Until I am whole, you may continue to refer to me as both female and as "Stella".
 * Spider-Woman: Alright, sounds good. Now, let's head out!
 * Hercules: Hades yeah!
 * Wasp: Yeah! Let's go find the guy erasing the universe so we can kick his butt and turn Stella back into Eternity!
 * ???: Interesting...
 * Wasp: What? who was--

The entire Star Sphere begins moving, knocking all of the Avengers over. Everyone panics except for Galactus, who simply hangs his head, seemingly knowing what's happening. The Star Sphere eventually tilts enough for the massive eye of the entity to peer through the repaired glass door of the ship. Outside of the ship, the entity has grown so massive that it is able to hold the Star Sphere in its hands.


 * ???: You're all very confident in your abilities. So confident, in fact, that you believe you can defeat a being whose destiny is to destroy everything. Very interesting indeed... Oh, apologies.

The entity teleports inside of the Star Sphere, suddenly back to human size.


 * ???: I suppose that wasn't the best introduction, was it? I'm very sorry, I should've known better. I must've scared you all half to death! And, in spite of what I know a lot of you are thinking, I'm not here to kill any of you. At least, not yet.
 * Ant-Man: What the hell are you...?
 * ???: Ah, yes, a formal introduction! I knew I was forgetting to do something!

The entity turns around and bows to the Avengers.


 * Entropy: I am Entropy. The heat death of the universe and the total destruction of all. I am a member of the Seven Friendless, entities created to represent aspects of the universe. In my case, as I said, I represent the total end of all things. And I am also the son of Eternity.
 * Stella: You're... my son...?
 * Entropy: Hello, dad.
 * Ant-Man: We're not going to let you kill her, Entropy...
 * Entropy: I thought you might say that. But, hear me out...

Entropy transports all of the Avengers and Stella to a void with nothing but a white orb.


 * Entropy: This is the beginning of the universe. And that orb is me. I had just finished wiping out the previous universe and I was resting myself.

A flaming bird flies into the area and floats towards the orb.


 * Entropy: That is the Phoenix Force. The only other survivor of the previous universe's destruction. It floats ever closer to me until...

The Phoenix Force collides with the orb and is absorbed into it, causing a massive explosion.


 * Entropy: And that, my newfound friends... was the big bang.
 * Spider-Woman: What... the hell...?
 * Entropy: You see, I am not just the son of Eternity. I am his previous incarnation. Every time I manage to destroy the universe, something happens to me that causes me to erupt and cause the big bang, turning myself into the next universe and the new Eternity. I become the first being formed by the big bang and the creator of the worlds and stars all across the galaxy. So, no one is technically dying when I wipe out everything. They're simply being reborn.
 * Ant-Man: But they die in exchange for that rebirth...
 * Entropy: Yes, but that's a small price to pay. You see, you're all assuming the worst of my rebirth of the universe. But, the events don't have to be the exact same. In fact, they could be better!

Entropy splays out his hands and a bright light shines all around the Avengers, who cover their eyes. Hercules is the first to open them again and is shocked by what he sees.


 * Hercules: Megara...

A woman in ancient Greek clothing walks up and wraps her arms around Hercules.


 * Megara: Hello, Hercules...
 * Hercules: I... I'm so sorry. I should have been more loyal, I shouldn't have--

Megara kisses him. Moments later, Hercules is transported to a world where his deceased family are alive and well and he is living a great life.


 * Entropy: In this new universe, you could all have what you want. I can even make sure it happens since I'll become the universe.

A few of the other Avengers' fantasies are shown while Entropy walks through them.


 * Entropy: Moon Knight may have his lost love Echo back from the dead and by his side in his crime fighting endeavors. She may even go on to be your bride, if you so wish. The Skrull Queen's attempt to kidnap Spider-Woman could fail, stopping the secret invasion and giving Spider-Woman back the months that were stolen from her. The children that Vision and the Scarlet Witch lost to the demon Mephisto could be returned to them. And you...

Entropy walks up to Ant-Man.


 * Entropy: The accident that you were in that caused you to become Yellowjacket could never have happened. Your mind would never have been affected. The events that caused your mental state to deteriorate could never take place. Your mind would be completely fine. The citizens of Earth would love you. You and Wasp would never have divorced. And you wouldn't have to jump at the first opportunity you get to get off-world and abandon your people to save yourself their hatred and ridicule...

Entropy covers Ant-Man's eyes and then removes them. When he does, Ant-Man is suddenly at his own wedding with Wasp, standing in front of all of his friends, who are cheering them on.


 * Illusion Wasp: It's just like I always imagined. Isn't it great, Hank?

Ant-Man takes a look at the people at the wedding, which includes his own Avengers team and many others. Ant-Man smiles upon seeing this and turns to Wasp, gently placing his hands on her face. However, he then becomes irate and breaks the neck of the fake Wasp, shattering the illusion.


 * Entropy: What in the...?
 * Ant-Man: You piece of shit!
 * Entropy: What did I do? I merely showed you what you've always wanted.
 * Ant-Man: Go to hell! It won't be me living that life, it'll be a version of me! And even if it was me, why the hell would I agree to that!?
 * Entropy: Why wouldn't you?
 * Ant-Man: You're a cosmic god, just like Stella. And Stella doesn't even understand what crying is. Cosmic gods like you don't understand the beings you're meant to monitor and help... And it seems like you're the worst of them all.
 * Entropy: ...Elaborate.
 * Ant-Man: The bad things that happened to me and the bad things I did are a part of my life! Yeah, I wish they'd never happened, but I'm not going to outrun my past and reset everything! Earth hates me right now and probably a lot of my friends have some kind of hate in them for me, but I don't care! I'm going to try earn their trust back and show them that I'm not Yellowjacket anymore! I'm not going to change or run away from my past. I'm going to fix it...
 * Entropy: But is me resetting everything not fixing it?
 * Ant-Man: No! My God, you're going to become the next universe?! If you modeled the next universe, everybody in it would be a psychopath! My past is mine to deal with. I don't need you to make it so it never happened!

The other Avengers' illusions break slightly and they all begin hearing Ant-Man's words.


 * Ant-Man: Yeah, I'll admit, I mostly took this mission because it got me off the Earth and I didn't want to deal with people hating me anymore. But I was wrong. When this mission's done, I'm gonna go back to Earth and I'm gonna win everyone back. A lot of bad things have happened to me and I've done a lot of bad things to people. But I'm not going to change it. I'm going to outgrow it and mature from it...

Hercules, upon hearing Ant-Man's words runs forward and punches reality itself, shattering his illusion and sending him back into the room with Ant-Man. The other Avengers follow suit, shattering their own illusions and joining Ant-Man. Entropy simply looks around at the Avengers as they break free of his illusions.


 * Wasp: Hey, did you... snap my neck?
 * Ant-Man: Well... technically, but it was, like, a fake you, so...
 * Wasp: That's still-- You know what? We'll talk about it later. Finish your speech, Hank.

Ant-Man walks up to Entropy.


 * Ant-Man: We're The Avengers. And we'll always fight together, even when the fight might end in our deaths.

Entropy's face doesn't react or change at all. He teleports all of the Avengers back to the Star Sphere.


 * Entropy: Then die.

The Avengers all get ready for a fight.


 * Stella: STOP!!

The Avengers turn to Stella, who solemnly walks past them all and up to Galactus. She stands still for a few seconds before simply sitting on the floor next to Galactus.


 * Stella: I don't care anymore...
 * Ant-Man: What do you mean?
 * Stella: It's his destiny to kill me. Apparently, he's done it over and over again. So what's the point? I don't care anymore... I'll just wait here to die with Galactus...
 * Ant-Man: But... you don't know for a fact that--
 * Stella: I do. He said so himself. He's killed me countless times so why would this time be different? It's okay, Mister Pym. You don't need try and make me feel better. I'm okay with dying. It's what fate has planned, after all...
 * Entropy: I'm truly glad that you came around, father. Thank you.
 * Ant-Man: I don't care.
 * Entropy: Hm?
 * Ant-Man: I'm going to fight you. I'm going to beat you. I'm going to save her...
 * Stella: You can't save me. Just leave me to die. Please...
 * Ant-Man: You can't fight for yourself! So we'll fight for you! I refuse to let you die!

Ant-Man points at Entropy.


 * Ant-Man: And I'll fight you to save her! No matter what!
 * Entropy: I suspected as much. That speech you gave me proved you're very foolish, after all. Very well, I'll allow you to challenge me. I'll take you back to your home planet, Earth, and we'll have our first and final confrontation there. I'll even allow you to have as much prep-time as you wish. I'll win anyway.

Entropy waves his hand and teleports the Avengers and their ship away.


 * Stella: ...You're going to kill me.
 * Entropy: I'm going to kill you.
 * Stella: Because you're destined to.
 * Entropy: Because I was made to. Because it's the reason the One-Above-All created me. Because The Living Tribunal said I need to. And, yes... because I'm destined to.
 * Stella: ...Why don't you just erase them too? If you're strong enough to wipe out everything, why don't you erase them?
 * Entropy: I'm going to. I just thought it'd be sportsmanly to give them a fighting chance first.

The room goes quiet and Stella sadly hangs her head.


 * Entropy: Goodbye, father. For what it's worth, I'm sorry.

Entropy teleports away, leaving Stella behind as tears once again form in her eyes. She wipes the tear and looks at it.


 * Stella: Crying again...? Hehe... well, at least this time I know what it's called...

On Earth, the Avengers' ship and the Avengers themselves appear in the middle of a half-erased New York City. No one can be seen on the streets and the only noise heard is the blowing of wind.


 * Wasp: ...What happened here...?
 * Vision: My best guess? Entropy did.
 * Ant-Man: So, while we were gone he got started wiping out Earth.
 * Wasp: Why didn't any of the other Avengers try to stop it?
 * Hercules: Uh...

Hercules gestures at a floating figure which is quite obviously an erased Iron Man.


 * Hercules: Seems like they did...
 * Wasp: Oh... Oh God...
 * Spider-Woman: Oh dear God...!

Spider-Woman starts running off.


 * Ant-Man: Jessica! Where're you going?
 * Spider-Woman: I left my son on Earth! I have to find him!

Spider-Woman runs away. Hercules attempts to go after her but is stopped by Ant-Man.


 * Ant-Man: Let her go.
 * Hercules: But what if--
 * Ant-Man: We have to focus more on beating Entropy. As heartless as it is to say, we don't have the time to help any of our friends.
 * Hercules: That's...
 * Wasp: Pretty messed up, yeah...
 * Moon Knight: He has a point.

They all turn to Moon Knight.


 * She-Hulk: Damn, finally speaking up?
 * Moon Knight: Entropy is obviously incredibly powerful. The more time we take to check up on our friends, the more time he has to destroy more planets. We have to focus on becoming more powerful to beat him instead of worrying about anything else.

Ant-Man nods at Moon Knight in agreement. The other Avengers go quiet for a bit.


 * Wasp: Okay... let's just focus on Entropy for now then...
 * Ant-Man: Let's all get to the mansion. When we're there, grab anything that looks like it'll come in handy.

Ant-Man uses his helmet to call some ants and shrinks down, riding on top of a winged one to get to the mansion. The other Avengers follow after him. Some time later, Spider-Woman is seen rushing into a building labeled "Hero Tots Baby Sitting". However, upon entering, she immediately stops her frantic running and stares in silence at all the erased people in front of her, which include the baby sitters at the building, mothers picking up their kids, and even the babies and toddlers at the building.


 * Spider-Woman: Oh my God...

Spider-Woman hears a gun cocking and turns to her side, revealing the S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Quake pointing a gun at her while carrying Spider-Woman's baby, Gerry.


 * Spider-Woman: Daisy?
 * Quake: Oh thank God, it's just you...

She puts the firearm away.


 * Quake: It's so quiet in the streets. Almost seems like one of those quiet scenes in a horror movie or something. Even the slightest noise makes you jump when everything's this quiet...
 * Spider-Woman: Daisy, if I were a supervillain, would you have actually fired that thing in front of my son?

Quake goes quite for a bit and looks at Gerry.


 * Quake: I... did not think that one through.

Spider-Woman takes her son back and lifts him.


 * Spider-Woman: Don't ever let my son see any kind of gun ever again.
 * Quake: Got it.

Spider-Woman lifts Gerry and nose rubs him before kissing him on the forehead.


 * Spider-Woman: Hiya baby! Did you miss me?

Gerry giggles.


 * Spider-Woman: Aw, I missed you too!

She gently tosses Gerry into the air and catches him a couple of times before hugging him and kissing him a couple of more times on the cheek.


 * Quake: Where were you?
 * Spider-Woman: Sorry, what? It's been a while since I've seen Gerry and I can't really focus on much when I have him so sorry if I forget to listen sometimes.
 * Quake: When everybody started disappearing, S.H.I.E.L.D. tried to call you and you never answered. They got so worried they sent people to check on you and they sent me to check on Gerry. So where were you?
 * Spider-Woman: Okay, so, this is gonna be hard to believe, but I was in space.
 * Quake: Oh, well, that explains it.
 * Spider-Woman: No, I'm not lying! We-- wait, seriously? You just believe me automatically?
 * Quake: Jessica, you are a woman who was mutated by terrorists into having spider powers and was then brainwashed by said terrorists into believing you were, in fact, a spider that turned into a human and you live on a planet which, just a few years ago, was invaded by shapeshifting aliens that tried to replace us all. You being in space is the least of my concerns right now.
 * Spider-Woman: ...Okay, point taken.
 * Quake: So, what brought you to space?
 * Spider-Woman: Well, originally it was to help this little space girl but it sorta turned into something else. Now the Avengers and I are trying to find a way of beating this... I can't even think of a way of describing him. But he's the cause of everything happening on Earth.
 * Quake: You got any ideas on how to do that yet?
 * Spider-Woman: Well, Fury's definitely gonna hate me for it...

Jessica pulls out her S.H.I.E.L.D. identification card.


 * Spider-Woman: But yeah, I've got a couple of ideas!

Meanwhile, back with the rest of the Avengers, they all look through a large metal vault in Avengers Mansion that has a bunch of equipment inside of it. Ant-Man rummages through some scraps in the back, looking for something good, and eventually pulls out the severed head of Ultron, which he stares at for a bit.


 * Wasp: Oh yeah, I remember when we got that head!
 * Ant-Man: Yeah, all the way back in the Hong Kong Incident. It was an absolute nightmare to actually manage to beat him...
 * Wasp: So, you planning on doing anything with it?

Ant-Man thinks about it for a bit. He flips the head upside down and reaches inside of it, connecting a few wires and causing it to temporarily spark with energy.


 * Ant-Man: Still got some juice left in it. You may be on to something here, Jan...

Wasp turns to Vision.


 * Wasp: Hey, Vision! Can Hank use this in the fight?
 * Vision: Why are you asking me for permission?
 * Wasp: Cause, like, Ultron's sorta your dad and I thought it might be weird.
 * Vision: I do not consider Ultron my father.
 * Wasp: So you're cool with it then?
 * Vision: Yes, I am "cool" with it.
 * Wasp: Sweet.

She-Hulk taps Hank's shoulder.


 * She-Hulk: Yo, Hank?
 * Ant-Man: Huh?

She-Hulk hands Hank a laser gun.


 * She-Hulk: Shoot me with this in the fight.
 * Ant-Man: ...Um...
 * She-Hulk: It's a Gamma Gun. Blasts pure Gamma Radiation. My body can absorb the stuff like a sponge in water and the more I absorb it the stronger I get. So make sure to use that thing when Entropy shows up again.
 * Ant-Man: I, uh... okay, I will.
 * She-Hulk: Thanks, Hank. You're a good pal.

Ant-Man awkwardly nods at her. Hercules throws his hand into the air, showing off that he's wielding a mace.


 * Hercules: Found it!
 * She-Hulk: What's that?
 * Hercules: My Golden Mace. It was made by Hephaestus with Adamantine, the metal of Olympus. Should really come in handy during the Entropy fight. As should this!

Hercules also pulls out a robe made out of the skin of a lion.


 * Wasp: Oh my God...!
 * Hercules: Don't feel sorry for it, it's the Nemean Lion. Nasty little creature slaughtered a good hundred or so men before I finally put an end to it. It's fur is indestructible, so it should make for good armor.
 * She-Hulk: How come you don't wear that all the time?
 * Hercules: Because people kept pulling it off of me. There's no actual way of making sure it stays on me so it was very easy for people to just yank it off. It was... very embarrassing. But hey, now it finally gets its second chance!

Hercules puts the lion skin on, which causes Wasp to gag.


 * Hercules: Oh, what's the matter now?
 * Wasp: Nothing, I just... I really like animals...

She-Hulk turns to Vision, who is standing in the corner of the room.


 * She-Hulk: Hey, tin man. You not gonna look for anything to help you in the fight?
 * Vision: I am.

She-Hulk looks at Vision for a bit, who just stands there in silence.


 * She-Hulk: ...Yep, sure looks like it.
 * Vision: I am looking. Trust me.
 * She-Hulk: Is this, like, the writer setting up some big thing later so that nobody can call it a Deus ex Machina or something...?

Moon Knight walks into the room.


 * Moon Knight: Are we all ready?
 * Ant-Man: Seems about like... it... uh...

Everyone turns to Moon Knight in shock. Moon Knight himself looks around the room, confused.


 * Moon Knight: What?

Moon Knight continues to stand in confusion while casually tossing Thor's hammer Mjolnir into the air. Moments later, he realizes what the Avengers are all gawking at and shows Mjolnir off.


 * Moon Knight: Oh, this? Are you all looking at this?
 * Ant-Man: How did you even...?
 * Hercules: Oh, come on! The Ennead worshipper is worthy but I'm not!?
 * Moon Knight: Calm yourself, Olympian. I'm not worthy. But the metal that Mjolnir is made out of, Uru, can only be found on moons. So it technically falls under my god and I's domain.
 * Wasp: What does that mean exactly...?
 * Moon Knight: It means that I can't call lightning down from the sky or have the hammer return to my hand after throwing it, but I can at the very least pick it up and use it as a regular hammer. Luckily for me, this regular hammer is very, VERY strong.
 * Wasp: Where'd you find it?
 * Moon Knight: Unfortunately, the Asgardian was one of the heroes to be erased by Entropy. Luckily, it seems he dropped his hammer just before he was completely wiped out, letting the hammer live even if he died.
 * Ant-Man: Either way, it'll definitely give us a major advantage in the Entropy fight. Speaking of which, I think we're all ready.
 * Hercules: Uh... yeah... wow... You know, now that we're moments away from actually fighting the guy, I'm suddenly feeling a lot more nervous than I was before. I mean, yeah, I'm super strong and all but this guy's in a whole other dimension. Literally. How're you meant to beat a guy like that?
 * Ant-Man: We might not.
 * She-Hulk: Great advice, leader...
 * Ant-Man: But I promise all of you that even if we don't manage to beat him, we'll make sure this is a fight that he'll never forget. We'll hurt him so badly in this fight that it'll cut his power to a fraction. So even if we don't win, we'll make sure that the next guy to fight him will...
 * Vision: But why?
 * Ant-Man: What?
 * Vision: They are all gone. Every single person Entropy erased is dead. We aren't sure that defeating Entropy will bring them back. So, as nihilistic as it is to ask, I must ask again: Why do we fight?
 * Wasp I can answer that.

Vision raises an eyebrow at Wasp.


 * Wasp: Everything you said's true, Vision. Our friends are gone and there's no guarantee that beating Entropy will bring them back. Our friends are dead because we failed to save them... But, we can still make it up to them.
 * Vision: How?
 * Wasp: By getting out there and avenging them.

The Avengers all share looks with each other. They all nod at Wasp, who smiles and raises a determined fist in the air. Later on, in the half-erased New York, the Avengers all once again gather in front of their spaceship. All of them get into fighting stances as Ant-Man slowly walks in front of them all. When he stops walking, he stands in silence for some time before taking a deep breath and letting go.


 * Ant-Man: We're ready.

A giant beam of black and white energy blasts from the sky and into the center of New York. The beam slowly shapes itself into Entropy, who stands in front of the Avengers with his hands behind his back.


 * Entropy: Afternoon.
 * Wasp: You ready for a brawl...?
 * She-Hulk: You're going down, you cosmic freak!
 * Moon Knight: Let's get this over with.
 * Hercules: I can't wait to test my strength against you!
 * Vision: I do not intend to lose this battle.
 * Ant-Man: You better prepare yourself, Entropy. Cause we're The Avengers. And we're gonna make sure you pay for your crimes, no matter how strong you are!

Entropy looks around the area, seemingly not paying attention to the Avengers.


 * Ant-Man: What're you looking for?
 * Entropy: Oh, pardon me. I was simply looking for the battalion you intend to use in this fight.
 * Ant-Man: What's that meant to mean?
 * Entropy: Allow me to dumb it down for you.

An egotistical smile crosses Entropy's face.


 * Entropy: You and what army...?

Something crashes just behind Entropy, catching the attention of both him and the Avengers. Repeatedly, more and more unknown objects crash into the ground, forming a massive dust cloud as they do. Eventually, glowing lights emit from the cloud, which slowly dissipates to reveal countless S.H.I.E.L.D. Mandroids. One of them opens up and Spider-Woman steps out of it.


 * Spider-Woman: Will this army do?

Spider-Woman walks straight past Entropy and over to the Avengers, who are all very excited for the fight now that they have an army.


 * Ant-Man: Avengers...

Ant-Man grows into Giant-Man.


 * Ant-Man: ASSEMBLE!!

The Avengers all charge towards Entropy while the Mandroid army charges at him from the other side.