Mission: Spirits of Vengeance[]
Robbie is in his costume at the Mirror Table, asking how he is supposed to summon Johnny Blaze. Doctor Strange explains that the Cuffs of Cyttorak[1] will allow the Mirror Table to access link he has with the Spirit of Vengeance, and find Blaze.
After Strange attaches the cuff, Robbie transforms into Ghost Rider. The Mirror Table's surface shows mystical flames at first, and then Blaze appears long enough to them to "Buzz off." Hunter, Ghost Rider, and another hero depart for Blaze's location.
Blaze is on his motorcycle, being chased by Hydra vehicles carrying troops as well as Crossbones and Sabretooth. The heroes show up in the Hell Ride, and drive alongside Blaze. They pass a billboard advertising Copperhead Canyon, which turns out to be just ahead. The Hell Rider and motorcycle leap the canyon, but glowing green chains fly up from below, latching onto Blaze and pulling him down.
When Blaze comes to, he is tied to a rock with the very same green chains, being held captive by a Nest Mother. Moments later the heroes show up in the Hell Ride and attack.
As the heroes defeat the Nest Mother, Blaze is able to break free from the chains. Hunter demands that Blaze turn over the Parchment of Power, but a horde of Soulless appears. Blaze explains that he doesn't know who they serve -- it's not Lilith or Chthon -- but they can smell the page. Suddenly Blaze pulls out the Parchment and begins reading from it, casting a powerful spell that fills the area with fire. The heroes end up cut off from Blaze, and have a swarm of Soulless to deal with.
After the team survives the onslaught, the flames fade and Blaze is visible again. He hops on his motorcycle and speeds off, saying that he'll be in touch.
That Night[]
Hunter overhears Tony and Doctor Strange arguing in the Forge. Tony is still mad about Banner tricking him and Strange is still be affected by the loss of the Sanctum Sanctorum and they both seem to be taking it out on each other.
Nico calls Hunter to the Chapel where she and Magik are waiting. Nico is excited to tell Hunter that the two of them finished transcribing the incantation from The Book of Thoth that cured the first account of Lilin corruption. However, there's one problem. The light worker who cured the Pharaoh had to take all of the Pharaoh's dark energy into his body, which couldn't handle it, and he died.
Corruption can't be destroyed; it has to go somewhere, so whoever removes Wanda's corruption will have to absorb it. Hunter is the only choice. Nico teaches Hunter the incantation and has them memorize it.
Hunter pays a visit to Robbie, who is at The Shop. Robbie's adoration of Blaze is at a high after their recent encounter. He sees Blaze's actions as daring and heroic, and thinks the team should cut him some slack.
That night, Hunter dreams of Lilith again. She calls Blaze a reckless fool for using the Parchment of Power. She warns that the Darkhold has a will of its own, and enslaves those who try to tame it. Hunter challenges Lilith over her own use of the book. She says that she doesn't hide from the choice she made, and that she would do it a thousand times over. As the dream fades, she tells Hunter that the heroes will be shattered, but that the two of them will stand united before the eye of the Midnight Sun.
Next: Event: The Barghest (Third Encounter)
Story Index
- Opening
- Mission: The Changing Face of Evil
- Event: Team Meeting
- Mission: A Not-So-Beautiful Mind
- Mission: Spirits of Vengeance
- Event: The Barghest (Third Encounter)
- Mission: Skin Deep
- Mission: All the Devils Are Here
- Mission: Los Diablos
Notes[]
- ā In MCU, Doctor Strange uses a similar device called Crimson Bands of Cyttorak, which is also used to bind people.