Part III: The Champion of the Gods/Mission: The Not-So-Good Book

==Mission: The Not-So-Good Book==
Everyone is gathered around the Mirror Table, looking over Hydra activity in the region. Caretaker focuses in on a key Hydra site, and Tony starts to take charge. When others remind him of his recent mistakes, he deflects and tries to have his fellow Avenger Captain America lead the operation. 
Nico breaks in and points out that from the fall of the Sanctum Sanctorum to the failure in Los Diablos, every time the group listens to the Avengers, it turns into a disaster. The other Midnight Suns join in with Nico and they announce they are going to handle this mission.
As the Suns prepare to leave the Abbey, Nico rallies the team against the difficult odds they face. Even though Lilith has Fallen Hulk and the Parchment of Power, there's one thing that the Suns have that she doesn't -- they have each other. Nico tells them to believe in each other.
The Suns arrive at the site to find a group of Hydra troops guarding the outside. When they see the markings on the outside, they realize that this is actually Lilith's Tomb. With a hearty "Midnight Suns assemble or whatever", the heroes engage the troops.
After the ground troops are defeated, a Hydra helicopter flies in and launches missiles at the team. Nico uses the Staff of One to "buy us some time" and freeze the enemies and their weapons. She and Magik stay behind to keep holding Hydra off, while Hunter, Blade, and Ghost Rider enter the tomb.
They find Lilith casting a spell, channeling the power of the Darkhold through Fallen Hulk. As strong as Hulk is, the power of the Darkhold is such that even he is straining and seems to be in pain. Attempts to attack Lilith directly simply bounce off a shield she has put up around the two of them. The heroes decide to shatter the tomb's pillars to collapse it and prevent the spell from being completed. Lilith dispatches her Lilin to stop them.
The heroes hold off the enemies long enough to shatter the pillars, causing the tomb to begin to crumble. However, Lilith's barrier is still holding strong while she continues to chant in Latin. Caretaker tells them urgently to fall back to the Abbey, realizing the danger the impending collapse. Before they leave, Robbie transforms into Ghost Rider as he says, "This is for Johnny Blaze", and unleashes a flaming blast upon Lilith's barrier. He manages to interrupt the spell, but as they leave Hulk picks up the Darkhold in an attempt to continue the spell. They escape, and the tomb collapses upon itself. 
==That Night==
The Midnight Suns are back at the Wild Cliffs; everyone is thrilled to have finally delivered a setback to Lilith. But back at the tomb, Fallen Hulk claws his way out of the ground, and stands with Lilith as she holds the Darkhold up in the air. The Temple of Chthon has appeared, and numerous green portals open with balls of green energy pouring out of each. As Hunter doubles over, feeling some effect of the portals opening, the green orbs land and transform into Lilin.
Afterward, a group has gathered in the Common Room and are watching the latest news reports about the sudden appearance of the Temple. The general public doesn't know yet what it represents, but is looking toward Transia with concern.
Later, Wanda and Caretaker have a heart-to-heart and reach a reconciliation. Hunter overheard their conversation and speaks with Wanda afterward. She is glad that things are improving with Caretaker, but at the same time sad over the events in Transia. She is worried about the safety of the Transian people. She's also concerned that she could fall to Lilith's influence again when the two meet in battle.
Hunter happens upon a conversation between Nico and Tony just outside the Abbey. Nico thinks that Tony is there to rub today's failure in her face, but instead sincerely compliments her, saying that what the Suns did today was brave and bold. He tells her that failure is part of the learning process and an essential part of being a superhero. He admires what they tried to do today. Nico seems touched.
Hunter's dreams that night are again of Lilith. She says that with the Darkhold complete, the prophecy is drawing near and the truth will reveal itself soon. She wonders if Hunter will be ready to play their part when the time comes. As Lilith begins to reminisce about Hunter's father, Hunter points out that this is the first time she's ever spoken of him. Hunter says they are glad that his death spared him the sight of what Lilith became. This seems to hurt her, and the dream ends without her usual comebacks or talk of being reunited under the Midnight Sun.
Next: Part III: The Champion of the Gods/Event: Gray Seneschal
Category:Story