Part I: The Awakening/Mission: Sanctum Symbiotum

==Mission: Sanctum Symbiotum==
Before setting off on the mission, Doctor Strange and Hunter have a brief conversation. Strange is concerned that Lilith may have breached the Sanctum again. His predictive capabilities are "fuzzy" due to Lilith's prior incursion and he is unable to bolster the barriers protecting the Sanctum. Strange wishes to hurry, as Scarlet Witch is strong but not yet fully trained.
Strange cannot create a portal to Earth due to Lilith's mystical disturbances, but Magik is able to conjure a portal through Limbo instead. As Hunter, Doctor Strange, and Blade enter Magik's portal, Caretaker explains that they are passing through Limbo which is beyond the influence of Lilith for now. 
To avoid damaging the Sanctum with a direct drop, the team arrives a few blocks away and proceeds the rest of the way on foot. Shortly after arrival, the heroes are met by a group of Hydra troops including a Hydra Officer, and a battle ensues. After the battle is over, Doctor Strange cautions Hunter that the men should not be killed as they are human, not Lilin. No sooner is that said when an unseen assailant shoots the Hydra Officer with a dart containing a green serum, killing him.
At the same time, Scarlet Witch is struggling to maintain the wards but eventually succumbs, allowing Lilith entry into the Sanctum. As the heroes finally reach the building, they see masses of tendrils covering it. Strange attempts to dispel them, causing a reaction with Hunter's Collar. Fallen Venom emerges from the tendrils and attacks.
After defeating Fallen Venom, he starts to pull back, and Hunter pursues. Revealing that his defeat was a ruse, Fallen Venom pounces and pins Hunter, moving in for the kill. Spider-Man appears, distracting Venom. Spider-Man leads Venom away from the group to allow them to escape.
== Post-Mission ==
The group returns to the Abbey to find a displeased Caretaker waiting for them. She is angry with Hunter for taking such risks, and the two quarrel. Caretaker ends the discussion by suggesting that Hunter get some rest. Hunter encounters Tony at the entrance to the Abbey, and they walk together to their rooms.
When the two arrive at Hunter's Quarters, Tony expresses some fears about Hunter and the mystical nature of the Abbey, but also mentions having left a present for Hunter earlier. After Tony leaves, Hunter opens the gift: a Spark, a communications device that gives access to Superlink, a social network for superheroes.
Hunter explores their quarters, finding a painting, a journal page, and Hunter's Closet, and then goes to bed. Hunter's sleep is fitful, hearing the voices of Agatha and the Old Midnight Suns from right before Hunter's final battle, and seeing Lilith.
Hunter is awoken by Charlie's enthusiastic licking, and Caretaker enters the room. She apologizes for their fight the night before, explaining that she doesn't want to see Hunter hurt again. She also points out that there are now many people who have expectations for Hunter, but that they need to decide on their own what kind of hero they wish to be. Hunter recalls Agatha, but Caretaker again says little on the subject, instead telling them to go to the Forge where Tony has another present.
Hunter approaches the Forge and notices that it is different from the last time they saw it. Stark and Strange explain that it is currently home to and powered by a Sumerian Fire Demon named Babs. Strange retrieves their latest work, the Hunter Suit, from the Forge and gives it to Hunter.
Tony and Hunter make conversation about the capabilities of the new Suit, the Forge, and Tony's background. Tony explains that despite the Forge's power, they must understand Venom better in order to devise a weapon to defeat him. Tony mentions that he has analyzed the green serum from the dart recovered earlier and discovered it is made of a powerful but volatile gamma-infused substance that can be used to enhance the team's equipment. 
Strange asks how Hunter is feeling after being brought back to life and the difficult fight with Venom. Strange is not feeling well himself, given the loss of both the Sanctum and Wanda. Hunter learns that Wanda was sent away from the Abbey after causing an accident while Agatha was teaching her to control her powers.
Hunter proceeds to the Yard where Blade gives a brief tour and tells Hunter a little bit about himself and the Midnight Suns. Next, Hunter meets with Captain Marvel who asks Hunter to meet her in the War Room.
As Hunter arrives at the War Room, Captain Marvel is talking to Bruce via a communications device, but the transmission becomes garbled and cuts off. Communications are eventually restored and with the information Bruce provides, Carol is able to use C.E.N.T.R.A.L. to trace the unique gamma signature from the Sanctum to its source in the Warehouse District. The team prepares to move out.
Next: Part I: The Awakening/Mission: Faustian Bargain
Category:Story