Part I: The Awakening/Mission: The Bell Tolls...

==Mission: The Bell Tolls...==
With Peter conspicuously absent, most of the other heroes are gathered around the Mirror Table. Caretaker announces that she has found Venom and Carol notes that there are a lot of Hydra troops at the site. Just as the group starts to ponder how to get close enough to Venom to use the Symbiote Sampler, Spider-Man suddenly appears in full costume and announces that he has a plan. 
Tony in particular doesn't want Spider-Man coming on the mission, due to his age and emotional attachment. However, Hunter, Blade, and Nico all speak up on Spider-Man's behalf and are able to convince Tony to go along with his plan.
The heroes approach the Sanctum, still covered in tendrils, with Hydra helicopters circling it and its roof filled with Hydra troops. As the team looks on from a higher vantage point, Banner appears, followed by Crossbones and Fallen Venom. 
When Spider-Man steps away to make a last minute adjustment to the plan, Caretaker points out that he hasn't actually told them the plan yet. Spider-Man replies that the other should lay low and wait for the signal. Moments later, a web blast covers Banner's mouth. Finding the heroes, Venom leaps to attack them, as Spider-Man yells, "That was the signal!"
Spider-Man swings over to a nearby church and enters its bell tower. Venom bursts through the side of the tower, and Spider-Man is pinned to the ground by a piece of the collapsed wall. Just as Venom is about to attack, the other heroes arrive and Hunter knocks Venom into the bell. The loud ringing hurts Venom, so he knocks the bell loose sending it hurtling to the bottom of the shaft.
The heroes fight against Venom until he is weakened enough to allow Spider-Man time to repair the church bell. Hunter strikes the bell, and the ringing stuns Venom, who appears to be in great pain. Spider-Man leaps onto Venom's back and uses the Symbiote Sampler. Venom throws Spider-Man off but in the process falls down the shaft, and ends up buried under debris and the bell itself. Spider-Man proudly shows off the Symbiote sample to his teammates.
== That Night ==
All of the heroes are gathered in the Common Room discussing the mission. Caretaker congratulates Peter on a job well done. Peter is proud of their success but worried about the cost of repairs to the church. Robbie and Nico point out that Stark can afford to pay for it.
After the meeting, Peter admits to Hunter that he wasn't sure that his plan would work. Hunter thanks Peter for everything he has done, and Peter basks in the moment as he thinks about how he is working side by side with people like the great Tony Stark.
Nico is sitting in Wanda's quarters reading her grimoire when Hunter finds her. Nico explains that according to the grimoire, Agatha was helping Wanda control her chaos magic. Nico feels that since chaos magic is older and more powerful than Lilith, she can use it to loosen Lilith's hold on Wanda.
== The Next Day ==
Tony calls Hunter to the Forge. Hunter meets Peter on the way, and finds that Peter feels guilty about Eddie—not just for leaving him trapped under the rubble, but also because Peter feels he could have done more to turn Eddie's life around.
When Hunter arrives at the Forge, Tony says that the sample analysis was a success, and starts a highly scientific explanation before realizing that it's just going over Hunter's head. Tony cuts to the chase and says he can make an "anti-Venom" suit using the Symbiote sample, but it will take a day to create.
Caretaker and Nico are arguing near the Mirror Table. Nico wants to try a spell that she believes can purify Lilith's corruption, but Caretaker absolutely forbids it, saying that it is not possible. Caretaker cautions Nico not to continue down this dark path, and Nico storms off.
Afterward, Caretaker tells Hunter that she's at her wits end, and unable to get through to Nico. She asks Hunter to help talk Nico down. When Hunter finds Nico, she is still angry. She wishes that Caretaker recognized her ability and let her use her powers to help the team. Nico announces that she is going to do whatever she can to save Wanda, no matter what Caretaker tries to do to stop her.
Hunter stops by the Library to get some advice from Agatha. She says that she is not certain whether or not it is possible for corruption to be removed, although she's sure that if it is, there will be a price to pay. She asks Hunter if they are willing to pay it, and cautions them that helping Nico could be perilous.
Lilith appears in Hunter's dreams once again. She says that she knows Hunter will be coming to Sanctum Sanctorum soon, and she is excited for the reunion. She begs Hunter not to stand in her way as she cannot guarantee their safety this time. She tells Hunter that he is closer than ever before, yet the most important thing to her is that he will bring the two of them together after so long.
== The Next Day ==
Hunter awakens to find Agatha standing in the room. She knows Lilith is calling Hunter back to her. Agatha assures Hunter that nobody who they choose to be, she will support them.
At the Forge, Doctor Strange and Tony have completed work on the Faithbreaker Suit and give it to Hunter. They explain that it should protect Hunter from the alien energy signature. Blade and Carol compliment Hunter's new look.
Peter and Caretaker are standing near the Mirror Table. Peter expresses concern about the new suit based on his own experience with his own Symbiote suit, but ultimately understands that taking the risk is necessary. Still, he asks Hunter to be careful. Caretaker asks Hunter to heed Spider-Man's warning, but this isn't the first time they are wielding the enemy's own weapons against them, and she doesn't believe that there will be any issues this time. However, if the suit affects Hunter's collar, she wants to know about it right away. 
Next: Part I: The Awakening/Mission: Shattering Expectations
Category:Story