Part III: The Champion of the Gods/Mission: The Midnight Sun

==Mission: The Midnight Sun==
===Preparation===
Caretaker gives Hunter a moment to change, and they return shortly wearing their Midnight Sun suit. As they head out to the Wild Cliffs, Caretaker tells Hunter that the best way to honor the memory of their mother is to destroy the monster she has become.
The rest of the heroes have gathered at the Cliffs, and are all in their Midnight Sun suits as well. Everyone is amazed by how the new suits look.
Hunter asks Iron Man if they were the one who created all these suits. Tony responds that it wasn't just him, and Doctor Strange adds that it was a team effort. It turns out the suits were Caretaker's idea; she thought they would be a nice touch. Tony quotes a wise woman who once said, "We are the Midnight Suns", showing his respect for Nico. Others chime in saying that the Suns are a family, and that they all have Hunter's back. Hunter caps it off by asking, "Who wants to go save the world?"
Caretaker tells Hunter that she could not have united this disparate group on her own, saying that Hunter did that on their own. She cautions that Hunter should not count on another resurrection, so if there is anything they wish to say to anyone, they should do it now.
Spider-Man is confident, but Hunter cautions him to not be overconfident. Excited to be part of his first world-saving team-up, he calls out, "Midnight Suns for life!"
Scarlet Witch can't believe the time and come and wonders if everyone is ready. Hunter calms her and she asks for their final advice, which is "Do not forget to breathe."
Nico Minoru doesn't want to lose the weird little family they have in the Suns. Hunter thanks Nico for being the first to treat them as a person, not an ancient weapon. Nico gets choked up and doesn't want to cry in front of Tony Stark. She tells Hunter that they will hang out again when all this is over.
Magik asks if Hunter can smell the chaos and uncertainty that permeates the air. She tells them that they are one of her closest friends ever, and if they are to die, she would be proud to do it by their side. She refuses to say goodbye, instead telling Hunter she will see them on the battlefield.
Ghost Rider feels like he should have written a will; he would have given Illyana his comics, Peter his favorite controller, and Gabe the Hell Ride. He says that he doesn't mind dying, as they're doing something that really matters, but Gabe doesn't deserve more tragedy in his life. Hunter tells Sparky to keep Robbie safe, and Robbie says, "Let's hit the road."
Blade tells Hunter that no matter what happens, this isn't goodbye -- there's no point in fighting a battle you already think you'll lose. He tells Hunter that he's happy they became close, and that he appreciates Hunter's help with Carol. He uncharacteristically lets his guard down and tells Hunter to call him Eric, but ends up regretting it almost immediately when he hears his name come out of Hunter's mouth.
Hulk is ready to battle. He and Hunter exchange a few words when Hulk declares that all this talk is boring and that he wants to fight the bad guys.
Captain America asks Hunter if they are ready to see it through. When Hunter replies that they'll do the best they can, Cap says that he's confident in their best. He ends by saying the time for fancy speeches is over; it's time to get the job done.
Doctor Strange muses about the fact that he's read so many books, yet may be in the final chapter of his own story right now. He feels that there are further mysteries about Hunter that he's yet to learn, so much more to discuss. He says that their conversation isn't over, it is merely paused.
Iron Man says that he finds it easier to go into these types of battles if he has something to look forward to after, so he's planning a victory party for when they get back. He takes a more serious tone and thanks Hunter for everything they did to help them at the Abbey. He ends by saying, "Let's go save the world. Again."
Captain Marvel makes a joke about traffic lights that goes over Hunter's head. She turns to post-battle plans, telling Hunter about Deneb-7, a party planet where she wants to go to have fun after their work is done. She asks Hunter if they are ready to bring Chthon down. When Hunter replies, "May the stars sing of our victory," she says that she needs to remember that one as it's inspiring.
Wolverine isn't one for sappy goodbyes. He thinks they're a waste of time, and would rather get in a few laughs instead. He turns serious and tells Hunter that he's honored to be following them into the final battle. He says that after this all ends, he'll probably be back at Xavier's school, and that Hunter should look him up there. He ends with, "Enough chit-chat. Let's go save the world."
Agatha advises Hunter that if they feel lost in today's battle, they should listen to their friends' voices to guide them back. Hunter doesn't fully understand what Agatha is trying to say, but she doesn't elaborate further. She asks them to remember that death isn't the end, it's a beginning in a dark disguise.
Caretaker is glad that Hunter knows the truth about Lilith. It might make it more difficult to face her on the battlefield, but it's better to know that Lilith wasn't always a monster. Caretaker wants Hunter to forgive Lilith, and also to forgive her. She says that when they are back, she wants to tell them more about their mother before she became a monster. She tells Hunter that she will be watching over them today.
Even Charlie is there. She gives a sad whine, but Hunter tells her that she has to wait a little longer, and promises not to be gone for long.
Having finished speaking with everyone, Hunter leads the team through the portal.
===Through the Portal===
The team arrives at the Temple of Chthon. Hulk smashes the gate and green light pours out. The group is transported to the white room that Hunter would see in their dreams of Lilith. Suddenly, the area turns dark and it is revealed to be Chthon's Realm.
Lilith appears and starts to welcome Hunter, but the heroes attack without waiting for her to finish speaking. She responds by binding all of them except for Hunter. Hunter slices at her with the Godkiller, cutting her face. She's shocked to see the dagger, which Hunter refers to as a way to end this forever. In response, Lilith asks, "What do you think I am trying to do?". She explains that she is not here to free Chthon, but to destroy him. Hunter refuses to believe it, but Lilith tells them that if she was lying they would be dead already.
Lilith approaches Hunter and tells them that she is surprised they made it so far without realizing the truth. She shatters Hunter's collar, telling them to be free and to embrace their true self. She turns her back, not seeing Hunter's eyes turn purple, and tells Hunter that the final battle is almost here. Hunter retrieves the dagger and stabs Lilith in the back, saying, "No, it is over already." The voice coming from Hunter is not their own; it is Chthon's.
Chthon tells Lilith that she lost her child when she gave them up as his vessel. He thanks Lilith for removing the collar, as that was his last obstacle. Chthon turns to face the heroes, explaining that a sacrifice is necessary. As statues rise up out of the ground, Chthon says that he needs four souls for four gods, four heroes equal to those who bound him before.
Lilith, still injured with the Godkiller stuck in her chest, manages to free three of the heroes. She begs them, "Help me! Save your world! Save my child..."
Caretaker speaks to the other heroes, saying that Chthon's influence has weakened Hunter's mind to the breaking point. The three heroes freed by Lilith battle Chthon in Hunter's body for some time, as Hunter struggles to regain control. As images of Hunter's friends flash through their mind, they finally gain control and force Chthon out.
However, it may be too late, as the Midnight Sun has come. Their last hope is for Hunter to free the bound heroes so they can establish the seals to bind Chthon.
Hunter frees each of the heroes one by one and they battle Lilin summoned by Chthon until each hero can establish one of the seals. Finally all four are formed, and Hunter completes the seal. Chthon simply laughs at the attempt, and summons even more Lilin, surrounding the heroes. At the same time, Lilith struggles to her feet and moves to the Darkhold. She removes the Godkiller from her chest and stabs it through the tome. Chthon says nothing can harm that book, to which Lilith replies, "Only Chthon can kill Chthon."
The Darkhold begins absorbing dark energy out of Lilith. A crack appears on Chthon's face, and the Lilin begin to crumble away. Caretaker announces that there is an energy surge and orders the heroes to get out of there.
Hunter goes to check on Lilith, who has reverted to her human form now that the book absorbed her dark energy. She tells Hunter she did this for them, and tells them to go home, and live. She casts a spell that covers the team in a golden light and transports them away in shining beams. Suddenly, before Hunter can join them, Lilith's spell stops and the light goes out. She did not do this herself and questions what is happening. Hunter replies, "Chthon changed us both when you cured me centuries ago. We belong to that book as much as him now." 
Lilith is distraught that she failed Hunter, but Hunter responds that she actually saved them, and all of their friends. Whatever happens next, the two of them will face it together. The energy in the area continues to build and just as it fades to white, Hunter finally calls her, "Mother".
Next: Epilogue
Category:Story